“Ay, neighbour, I began to think at one time,” said Farmer Tallington, “that it was going to be very much worse, and that I was going to have to bear sad news across to the Toft; but we’re spared that, squire, and I’m truly thankful. Feel better?”
“Better! oh yes, I am not hurt!”
Just then Dick asked a question:
“I say, Mr Tallington, wasn’t it strange that you didn’t know of the fire till I came?”
“I suppose we were all too soundly asleep, my lad. Lucky you saw it, or we might have been burned to death.”
“But how did the place catch fire?”
“Ah!” said Farmer Tallington, “that’s just what I should like to know.—Were you out there last night, Tom?” he added after a pause.
“No, father, I wasn’t near the stacks yesterday.”
“Had you been round there at all?” said the squire.
“No, not for a day or two, neighbour. It’s a puzzler.”