"Griffith," said Lancey, "will the rain have brought up any mushrooms, do you think?"
"Bless you, yes. See here, Master Lancey, just you go down the lane to the left of the lodge till you come to a cottage, then creep through the gate opposite—it's awkward to open, but you'll easily get through—and see if you don't find mushrooms. There'll be lots by to-morrow if we've some sun to-day."
"It's to-morrow I want to get them—to-morrow morning early," said Lancey. "Thank you, Griffith."
After breakfast, Dick in turn went out for a little fresh air—he strolled towards the stables, as he was very fond of one of the dogs there. On his way he came across a groom called Nicholls.
"Good morning, Nicholls," said Dick. "Should you think, Nicholls, there'd be any mushrooms by to-morrow morning?"
"Sure to be, Master Dick. If you're up early, I'll show you the best field in the place for them. Come out to the stable-yard as soon as you're dressed, and I'll show you the way."
"Thank you, Nicholls," said Dick. "Yes, I'll come. Don't tell anybody else, Nicholls."
"No, no, sir, we'll keep it a secret."
Lancey and Dick went to church together and were together as usual all day. But strange to tell, not one word was said by either boy to the other about their plans for the next morning. Some mischievous sprite had put it into their heads, for almost the first time in their lives, to have a secret, and not a kind secret either, each from the other.