[VI. A CHRISTMAS EVE ADVENTURE]
The
Squire's Young Folk.
[CHAPTER I.]
THE COKER CHILDREN.
"NELLIE, let's go in and see Mrs. Wills. Perhaps she'll give us some bread and cream."
"No, Rupert, we have the dogs with us. I think we'd better not stop to-day."
"Oh, nonsense! We can easily shut the dogs outside the door. Come along."
The speakers were Nellie and Rupert Coker, children of Mr. Coker, of Haldon Hall. They were returning from the village of Haldon, about a quarter of a mile from, which their home was situated, and were now passing Westhill, a picturesque old farmhouse built close to the high road.
Westhill was the property of Mr. Coker, and was in the occupation of Farmer Wills and his wife, a capable, hard-working, middle-aged couple.