“How did you know it was there?” said Tom.
“How did I know she was theer! Why, she had her ears cocked-up listening, plain enough to see. Theer, let her go now. She’s got a wife somewheers about.”
“She’s got a wife! Why don’t you say He?” cried Dick. “Now, Tom, I’m going to let him go; but he won’t run, he’s a sick one. You’ll see. Anyone could catch a hare like this.”
He carefully placed the hare upon the ground, holding tightly by its ears.
“There,” he cried; “I told you so! Look how stupid and—Oh!”
The hare made one great leap, and then hardly seemed to touch the ground again with its muscular hind-legs; but went off at a tremendous rate, bounding over heath and tuft, till it disappeared in the distance.
“There’s a sleepy sick one for you, Mester Dick!” cried Dave. “Now, then, goo and ketch her, lad.”
“Well, I never!” cried Dick. “I say, Dave, how do you manage it? Could you catch another?”
“Ay, lad, many as I like.”
“And rabbits too?”