ng but nimble trot, by which their
tribe elude and disregard anything disagreeable.

"You better get up again," said Mrs Hankworth. "We'll keep up to them
and perhaps turn 'em in somewhere. Miss Hilton's the nearest."

"I don't recognise 'em," said the farmer, springing up with agility and
driving the horse carefully after the sows. "Some one must have bought
them yesterday. We can call at one or two places on the way back and
inquire. There's William Crowther," he added, standing up in the
trap--"William!" he shouted, "do you see them sows? Stop 'em at Anne
Hilton's sty. I don't know whose they are."

"I'll give them a little exercise!" shouted William, setting off in
pursuit. Anne Hilton looked out from her door to see the farmer standing
up to bar the road backwards, and shouting directions to William, while
he at the other side dodged one sow after the other, and Mrs Hankworth
sat back laughing with enjoyment.

Anne ran to open the yard-gate, and, with management, the sows saw no
other opening and ran in at a trot, scattering the squealing hens as
they did so.

"Of all the knowing things!" said Mrs Hankworth.

"Well, Miss Hilton, we're bringing you two sows and ourselves to visit
you!" said the farmer. "First a baby and then two sows! You'll keep a
foundling home very soon."

He jumped out, and his wife came slowly over the wheel.

"Somebody'll be sending out to inquire for them soon," said Anne. "I'm
very pleased to see you, Mrs Hankworth."

"We came to say we'd send you milk for the baby every day," said Mrs
Hankworth, entering the kitchen. "You'll want yours for the butter."

"It's very kind of you," said Anne. "But he'll want a good deal."

"We've got seventy-five cows, you know," said Mrs Hankworth, with a
contented laugh. "He'll not make much difference among 'em. Where is he?
Bless him," she said, as she saw the baby staring at her from the wide
wooden chair, in which he was tied.

"A fine baby," said the farmer with an ultimate tone.

"He _is_ a nice one!" said his wife. "I _must_ take him," she said,
picking up the baby and turning him face downwards over her arm while
she seated herself. She spread open her knees and laid him, docile to
her practised handling, across them. Anne watched her with the air of
one taking a lesson.

"Did you have much trouble to get him?" asked Mrs Hankworth.

"No, very little," said Anne. "There were some papers to sign, and one
or two other things, but I beli