They won't make me do it when Father said not!"

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

SUMPTUOUS APARTMENTS.

"Well, be sure! who ever saw such a lad? Sent out to play at four o'
the clock, and all o'er mud at five! Where hast thou been, Will? Speak
the truth, now!"

"Been down by the brook rush-plaiting," said little Will, looking as if
his mind were not quite made up whether to cry or to be sulky.

"The mischievousness of lads! Didn't I tell thee to mind and keep thy
clothes clean?"

"You're always after clothes! How could I plait rushes and keep 'em
clean?"

"And who told you to plait rushes, Master Impudence? Take that."
_That_ was a sound box on the ear which Ursula delivered by way of
illustration to her remarks. "What's become o' Phil Tye? I thought he
was going to look after thee."

"Well, he did, a bit: then he and Jem Morris went off bird-nesting."

"I'll give it him when I see him! Where's Cicely?"

"She's somewhere," said Will, looking round the cottage, as if he
expected to see her in some corner.

"I reckon I could have told thee so much. Did Mistress Wade find you?"

"She was down at the brook: but she went after Cis."

"Well, thou'lt have to go to bed first thing, for them clothes must be
washed."

Will broke into a howl. "It isn't bed-time nor it isn't washing-day!"

"It's bed-time when thou'rt bidden to go. As to washing-day, it's
always washing-day where thou art. Never was such a boy, I do believe,
for getting into the mud. Thou'rt worser ten times o'er than thou wert.
I do wish lads 'd stop babes till they're men, that one could tuck 'em
in the cradle and leave 'em! There's never a bit of peace! I would the
Black Ladies 'd come for you. I shall be mighty thankful when they do,
be sure."

"Mistress Wade 'll have us," suggested Master William, briskly, looking
up at Ursula.

"Hold that pert tongue o' thine! Mistress Wade's not like to have you.
You're in my care, and I've no leave to deliver you to any save the
Black Ladies."

"Well! I wouldn't mind camping out a bit, if you're so set to be rid of
us," said Will, reflectively. "There's a blanket you've got rolled up
in the loft, that 'd make a tent, and we could cut down poles, if you'll
lend us an axe; and--"

"You cut down poles! Marry come up! You're not about to have any of my
blankets, nor my axes neither."

"It wouldn't be so bad," Will went on, still in a meditative key, "only
for dinner. I don't see where