“Well, and it’s dull work to bat, and be kept waiting while the ball is fetched. Let’s go to my place. I want to try an experiment.”
“No, thank you,” cried Macey. “Don’t catch me holding wires, or being set to pound something in a mortar. I know your little games, Vane Lee. You’ve caught me once or twice before.”
“Well, let’s do something. I hate wasting time.”
“Come and tease old Gil; or, let’s go and sit down somewhere near Distie. He’s in the meadows, and it will make him mad as mad if you go near him.”
“Try something better,” said Vane.
“Oh, I don’t know. We might go blackberrying, only one seems to be getting too old for that sort of thing. Let’s hire two nags, and have a ride.”
“Well, young gents, going my way?” cried the miller, from behind them, as he strode along in their rear.
“Where are you going?” said Vane.
“Down to the mill. The wind won’t blow, so I’m obliged to make up for it at the river mill, only the water is getting short. That’s the best of having two strings to your bow, my lads. By the time the water gets low, perhaps the wind may rise, and turn one’s sails again. When I can’t get wind or water there’s no flour, and if there’s no flour there’ll be no bread.”
“That’s cheerful,” cried Macey.