miller lived down by
the Greythorpe river," sang Macey.

"Nonsense! He wouldn't lend me his boat to cut about."

"Sell it you."

Vane shook his head. "Cost too much."

"Then, why cut it? You ought to be able to make a machine that would
fit into a boat with screws, or be stuck like a box under the thwarts."

"Yes, so I might. I didn't think of that," cried Vane, eagerly. "I'll
try it."

"There," said Macey, "that comes of having a clever chap at your elbow
like yours most obediently. Halves!"

"Eh?"

"I say, halves! I invented part of the machine, and I want to share.
But when are you going to begin old Syme's conservatory?"

"Oh, dear!" sighed Vane. "I'd forgotten that. Come along. Let's try
and think out the paddles as you propose. I fancy one might get
something like a fish's tail to propel a boat."

"What, by just waggling?"

"It seems to me to be possible."

"Come on, and let's do it then," cried Macey, starting to trot along the
road. "I want to get the taste of Distin out of my mouth.--I say--"

"Well?"

"Don't I wish his mother wanted him so badly that he was obliged to go
back to the West Indies at once.--Hallo! Going to the wood?"

"Yes, I don't mean to be beaten over those fungi we had the other day,"
cried Vane; and to prove that he did not, he inveigled Macey into
accompanying him into the woods that afternoon, to collect another
basketful--his companion assisting by nutting overhead, while Vane
busied himself among the moss at the roots of the hazel stubs.

"Going to have those for supper?" said Macey, as they were returning.

Vane shook his head. "I suppose I mustn't take these home to-day after
all."

"Look here, come on with me to the rectory, and give 'em to Mr Syme."

"Pooh!--Why, he laughed at them."

"But you can tell him you had some for dinner at the Little Manor. I
won't say anything."

"I've a good mind to, for I've read that they are delicious if properly
cooked," cried Vane. "No, I don't like to. But I should like to give
them to someone, for I don't care to see them wasted."

"Do bring them to the rectory, and I'll coax Distie on into eating some.
He will not know they are yours; and, if they upset him, he will not be
of so much consequence as any one else."

But Vane shook his head as they walked thoughtfully back.

"I know," he cried, all at once; "I'll give them to Mrs Bruff."

"But would she cook them?"

"Let's go and see. What time is i