"Never come back?"
"No. His mother be in a tarrible state, Zacky bein' away and all."
"Sure 'a didn' go wi' Zacky to Rusco?"
"Now that's foolish. Didn' I say 'a wented for mistletoe yestere'en, and Zacky sailed off in mornin'.'
"So 'a did, to be sure. Here's riding-officer; let us tell him."
Mr. Polwhele rode up into the midst of the crowd.
"Well, neighbours, what's to do?" he cried.
"Jake Tonkin be gone a-lost, Maister," shouted a score of voices in answer.
"Lost, is he? He's big enough to take care of himself, surely. Isn't he with his father?"
"No, Maister," piped a small boy. "Zacky Tonkin be——"