"What, Zacky, my dear?"
"Go up-along myself and thank young Squire. Name it all, hain't he saved our only boy, Betty? A man can't do less than say thank 'ee, I don't care who he is."
He thrust on his hat, and set off in haste. At the top of the hill he overtook Ike, who, laden as he was, had walked slowly.
"Stir your shanks, Ike," said he. "Here now, I'll take keg; you keep canister."
They went on together. At the Dower House they came up with Jake, who was shambling along, feeling anything but comfortable at the thought of the impending interview.
"What, slug-a-stump!" cried his father angrily. "Bean't theer yet?"
"Seeming not," said Jake. "I be tired."
"Well, my son, ye'll just step out a bit quicker, or I'll have to take a loan of the Squire's whip."
All three now proceeded until they came to the Towers.
"Be Squire to home, neighbour Pollex?" asked Tonkin of Reuben, who opened the door.