"Oh! Then you're the very man I want. I have to get to a village called Rosthwaite; do you know it?"
"Rather! Why, we live only about two miles from Rosthwaite—at Grange, at the lake head."
"Derwentwater is that?"
"Yes, we're at the other end of it from Keswick; it's a pretty long way from the station. Do you know Cumberland?"
"I never was there in my life. Shall I find an inn at Rosthwaite?"
"Oh yes, two of them; they are very comfortable, I believe. Are you thinking of staying at Rosthwaite long?"
"No; I'm only going there on business. I want to find some people who live there. I wonder if you have ever heard of them and can tell me where they live."
"What's the name?"
"Douglas."
"Of course I know the Douglases! I've known them nearly all my life. I spend most of my time there when I'm down—too much, my father says. You see, he wants me to work; but it's an awful grind out of term time. I do a little, of course, but not enough to please him, I'm afraid."