“N–no,” replied Will, dubiously; “only thought I heard something.”
“Thought you heard something!” said Manners. “There’s not much think about it. My ears seem stuffed so full of sounds that I can hardly hear myself speak. The rushing water and its echoes from up above seem to fill the air. What did you think you heard?”
“That’s what I don’t know,” said Will, thoughtfully, with his lips close to the speaker’s ear; “and I can’t hear it at all now. It was a dull, thumping sort of noise.”
“Echo,” said Josh. “The wheel’s going so much faster round than usual.”
“N–n–no,” said Will; “it wasn’t like that. I wish I could hear it again.”
“What for?” said Josh. “What was the matter? Here, I say, which way shall we go? I know: let’s go and see if any of the old owls are out beating the ivy for birds.”
“There,” cried Will, “that’s it! You can hear it now! Listen!”
All stood perfectly still for a few moments.
“Water, water everywhere, and far too much to drink,” said Manners, spoiling a quotation. “I can’t hear anything else.”
“Oh, Mr Manners! Why, there it is, quite plain. You can hear it, can’t you, Josh?”