irst whether there is anything eatable."

"It's all like bits of shrivelled crackling," said Vane, "only harder."

"Yes," said the doctor, "much. I'm afraid Martha did not like her job,
and she has cooked these too much. No," he added, after tasting, "this
is certainly not a success. Now for the tart--that is, if our young
friend Macey has quite finished his portion."

"I haven't begun, sir," said the visitor.

"Then we will wait."

"No, no, please sir, don't. I feel as if I couldn't eat a bit."

"And I as if they were not meant to eat," said the doctor, smiling.
"Never mind, Vane; we'll get aunt to cook the rest, or else you and I
will experimentalise over a spirit lamp in the workshop, eh?"

"Yes, uncle, and we'll have Macey there, and make him do all the tasting
for being so malicious."

"Tell me when it's to be," said Macey, grinning with delight at getting
rid of his plate; "and I'll arrange to be fetched home for a holiday."

CHAPTER FIVE.

THE MILLER'S BOAT.

Vane so frequently got into hot-water with his experiments that he more
than once made vows. But his promises were as unstable as water, and he
soon forgot them. He had vowed that he would be contented with things
as they were, but his active mind was soon at work contriving.

He and Macey had borrowed Rounds the miller's boat one day for a row.
They were out having a desultory wander down by the river, when they
came upon the bluff churchwarden himself, and he gave them a friendly
nod as he stood by the roadside talking to Chakes about something
connected with the church; and, as the boys went on, Macey said,
laughing, "I say, Weathercock, you're such a fellow for making
improvements, why don't you take Chakes in hand, and make him look like
the miller?"

"They are a contrast, certainly," said Vane, glancing back at the
gloomy, bent form of the sexton, as he stood looking up sidewise at the
big, squarely-built, wholesome-looking miller. "But I couldn't improve
him. I say, what shall we do this afternoon?"

"I don't know," said Macey. "Two can't play cricket comfortably. It's
stupid to bowl and field."

"Well, and it's dull work to bat, and be kept waiting while the ball is
fetched. Let's go to my place. I want to try an experiment."

"No, thank you," cried Macey. "Don't catch me holding wires, or being
set to pound something in a mortar. I know your little games, Vane Lee.
You've caught me once or twice before."

"Well