se we'll do that.'

Horatia's face brightened. 'Do you really mean that? May I do what I like
just for the first day or two?' she inquired eagerly.

'Of course you may do what you like to-day and every day while you are
here. I would much rather you did. I'm tired of doing what I like; and,
besides, it will save me a lot of bother, because I did not want to go to
the lakes at all, and I was going to please you.'

'And I should have gone to please you,' cried Horatia, 'so we should both
have wasted a day; but I'm afraid you won't care for my plan. I want to
go and see your mills.'

'You mean my father's,' said Sarah hastily; but, though her face fell a
little, she continued, 'We shall have to ask his leave. I'll ask mother
to 'phone to him.'

But this plan of Horatia's was not destined to be carried out, for a
message came back to say that Mr Clay would rather they came another day,
as he was busy that day, and could not take them over himself.

'Then just let's go down the town and see the outsides of the mills. No;
not in the motor,' for Sarah had her hand on the bell to ring for it.

'How, then? Do you want to ride?' inquired Sarah in surprise.

'No; I want to go on Shank's mare, and poke into ginnels. I want to go up
a ginnel,' she declared.

'But a ginnel is only a narrow passage. The chauffeur told you so, don't
you remember? You've often been up a passage, I suppose?'

'Yes; but not when it's called a ginnel. I want to say I've been up one,
and I can't bring it in unless I say, "I went up a ginnel at Ousebank,"'
explained Horatia.

Sarah laughed. 'You are funny, Horatia,' she said. However, to please her
friend she put on her hat, and the two went off to Ousebank; and whom
should they meet but Uncle Howroyd, who stopped quite naturally to speak
to his niece and her friend.

'And what are you two lasses doing in Ousebank alone and on foot?' he
inquired.

'We've come to go up a ginnel,' said Horatia, her eyes twinkling.

Mr William Howroyd's twinkled in response. 'Eh, what, are you a
Yorkshire lassie, then, that you talk so pat about ginnels? And what
particular one do you want to go up--the ginnel against my mill?' he
inquired.

'Oh, have you got a mill, and can I come and see it?' cried Horatia
eagerly.

'Why, of course I've got a mill. Didn't Sarah tell you? Surely you
weren't coming to Ousebank without coming to see me?' he inquired
reproachfully. Then, seeing that Sarah coloured and looked r