Bollins was a small hamlet on the Draymoor road, and the little house where Miss Lilly lived with her grandfather, an elderly man who had once been a doctor, was just at the Evercombe side of Bollins.
"But you haven't told us what you were saying to Jesse," said Chrissie.
"Oh no," said Miss Lilly. "Poor boy, it was nice of him. He was asking how Master Ferdy was."
Ferdy looked pleased.
"Did you tell him I was better?" he asked.
"I said I hoped so, but that I had not seen you yet. And then he asked if he might send you his 'respexs' and 'Was there any birds' eggs you'd a fancy for?'"
"Poor Jesse," said Ferdy. "But birds' eggs are one of the things he's been so naughty about—taking them all and selling them to somebody at Freston. Papa's almost sure—at least Ferguson is—that he took some thrushes' eggs out of our garden. Fancy, Miss Lilly!"
"And then for him to offer to get Ferdy any," said Chrissie.
"He knows I c'lect them," said Ferdy; "but papa told me long ago, when I was quite little, never to take all the eggs, and I've never taken more than one. If you see Jesse again will you tell him he must never take more than one, Miss Lilly?"
"I think in this case," she replied, "it is better to tell him not to take any at all—the temptation would be too great if he knows he can always sell them. I told him I would give you his message, but that I did not think you wanted any eggs that he could get you, and I advised him to leave bird's-nesting alone, as it had already got him into trouble."