clothes were
washed in the peggy tub, and kept in motion by a four-legged peggy, a
curious kind of machine with a cross handle.

So before I could say another word the pork-pie was brought out on the
white kitchen-table, and Mrs Stephenson began to cut out a wedge.

"May I take it with me," I said, "and eat it as I go along?"

"Bless the boy; yes, of course," said our homely landlady. "Boys who
are growing want plenty to eat. I hate to see people starve."

"But I want you to do me a favour," I said.

"Of course, my dear. What is it?"

"I want you to lend me your clothes-line."

"What, that we are just going to put out in the yard for the clean
clothes? I should just think not indeed."

"How tiresome!" I cried. "Well, never mind; I must buy a bit. But
will you lend me a couple of meat-hooks?"

"Now, what in the world are you going to do with a clothes-line and two
meat-hooks?"

"I'm going fishing," I said impatiently.

"Now don't you talk nonsense, my dear," said our plump landlady, looking
rather red. "Do you think I don't know better than that?"

"But I am going fishing," I cried.

"Where?"

"In our wheel-pit."

"Then there's someone drownded, and you are going to fish him out."

"No, no," I cried. "Will you lend me the hooks?"

"Yes, I'll lend you the hooks," she said, getting them out of a drawer.

"We sha'n't want the old clothes-line," said Tattsey slowly.

"No, we sha'n't want the old clothes-line," said Mrs Stephenson,
looking at me curiously. "There, you can have that."

"I'll tell you all about it when I come back," I cried as the knot of
clean cord was handed to me; and putting an arm through it and the hooks
in my pocket I started off at a run, to find myself face to face with
Gentles before I overtook my uncles.

"Going a wallucking, Mester Jacob?" he said.

"No; I'm going a-fishing."

"What, wi' that line, Mester?"

"Yes."

"Arn't it a bit too thick, Mester?"

"Not in the least, Gentles," I said; and leaving him rubbing his face as
if to smooth it after being shaved, I ran on and overtook my uncles just
before we reached the works.

"Thought you weren't coming, Cob," said Uncle Dick. "What are you going
to do with the rope?"

"Have patience," I said laughing.

Just then we passed Stevens, who scowled at us as he saw me with the
rope, while Pannell, who was with him, stared, and his face slowly lit
up with a broad grin.

They turned round to stare after us