"I want a dog. Smoker is yours altogether; I want a dog for myself, to bring up after my own fashion."
"Well, I ought to look out for another dog: although Smoker is not old, yet one ought to have two dogs to one's gun in case of accident."
"I think so too," replied Edward; "see if you can get two puppies, one for Humphrey and one for myself."
"Well, I must not go to Lymington for them. I must cross the forest, to see some friends of mine whom I have not seen for a long while, and I may get some of the right sort of puppies there, just like Smoker. I'll do that at once, as I may have to wait for them, even if I do have the promise."
"May I go with you, Jacob?" said Edward.
"Why, I would rather not; they may ask questions."
"And so would I rather he would not, for he will shirk his work here."
"Why, what is there to do, Humphrey?"
"Plenty to do, and hard work, Edward; the acorns are fit for beating down, and we want a great many bushels for the pigs. We have to fatten three, and to feed the rest during the winter. I can not get on well with only Alice and Edith; so if you are not very lazy, you will stay with us and help us."
"Humphrey, you think of nothing but your pigs and farmyard."