“Oh, dear, no!” said Uncle Dick. “We are going in for odds and ends, sir. To introduce, I hope, a good many improvements in several branches of the trades carried on here, principally in forging.”
Mr Tomplin drew in his lips and filled his face with wrinkles.
“Going to introduce new inventions, eh?” he said.
“Yes, sir, but only one at a time,” said Uncle Jack.
“And have you brought a regiment of soldiers with you, gentlemen?”
“Brought a what?” said Uncle Bob, laughing.
“Regiment of soldiers, sir, and a company of artillerymen with a couple of guns.”
“Ha! Ha! Ha!” laughed Uncle Dick, showing his white teeth. “Mr Tomplin means to besiege Arrowfield.”
“No, I don’t, my dear sir. I mean to turn your works into a fort to defend yourselves against your enemies.”
“My dear sir,” said Uncle Jack, “we haven’t an enemy in the world.”