“Yes, he is. I saw him ten minutes ago.”
“He’s started off with the other two.”
“Nay!”
“He has, I tell you!” cried Brookes. “They’ve left their rags in the cow-shed, and all gone.”
Samson showed his yellow teeth and chuckled.
“Just like ’em,” he said; “just like ’em.”
“I don’t see anything to grin at,” growled Brookes.
“Nay, you wouldn’t, my lad; but I do. ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play.’ I wonder they’ve stopped steady at work so long.”
“What?”
“They’re on’y big savage children, lad,” said the old man, “and you can’t alter ’em. ‘’Tis their natur’ to.’”