And so they wandered across the park, talking easily.
"They've got on a good way since I was here last," said George, as they came in sight of the new house the new earl was building. "But they don't seem much in a hurry with it either."
"Aunt says it is twenty years since the foundations were laid by the uncle of the present earl," said Helen; "and then for some reason or other the thing was dropped."
"Was there no house on the place before?"
"Oh! yes—not much of a house, though."
"And they pulled it down, I suppose."
"No; it stands there still."
"Where?"
"Down in the hollow there—over those trees—about the worst place they could have built in. Surely you have seen it! Poldie and I used to run all over it."
"No, I never saw it. Was it empty then?"