Plenty to be seen? Ay, plenty; pretty little reed-warblers twittering and chattering in amongst the strands which formed their waving home; and every now and then the little bearded tits made their appearance, but only to dart out of sight again in a moment. High over head sang the lark, “trill—trill—trill;” and the soft sweetness of the morning seemed to pervade everything. Now and then red and orange billed moor-hens would lead their dusky little broods from amongst the reeds, and after a short swim, lead them in again when they saw that they were watched. Plenty to see? Ay! so much, that the water, the sky, and the green banks took away every thought of the water-bottle and the village, and even of breakfast, till all of a sudden Harry burst out—
“Oh, I’m so jolly hungry! let’s turn back.”
“I wonder what time it is?” said Philip.
“Seven,” said Harry, “I know. Let’s get down to the village and get the bottle at old Perkins’s, and then it will be time to go home to breakfast. Oh! what a jolly morning!”
They were soon abreast of the stones again where the path led down to the village, and just then the distant church clock struck.
“Told you so,” said Harry, counting. “One—two—three—four—five—six—seven—eight!”
The boys stared at one another quite aghast, and then, taking their cue from Harry, started off full speed towards home, forgetting everything but the idea of getting back in time for breakfast.
When they entered the breakfast-room, nearly breathless, but with sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks, both Mr and Mrs Inglis looked rather serious; but the boys seemed so bright and happy that they had not the heart to be cross with them, though the second cup of coffee was being poured out, and the Squire loved punctuality; and though Mrs Inglis had been into the boys’ bedrooms and seen the mischief they had done.
“Come, boys; come, boys,” said Mr Inglis, cheerily; “this won’t do; you won’t last till night. Why, we’re going down to get enough specimens to start the salt-water aquarium; and Jem Baines, from the station, brought the glass last night. It came down from London by the goods train. There it is,” he continued, pointing to an enormous inverted bell-glass standing upon a block of ebony fitted for its reception.
But the boys were too hungry to do more than glance at the crystal bell, though Harry, with his mouth full, did say something that sounded very much like “booty,” though he evidently meant it for beauty. However, it was excusable, as any of my young readers will say if they consider that Harry had been up four hours, and out in the fresh air of the bright summer morning.