river-side.

It was a well-known fact in Coleby that the Dimsteds always knew where
fish was to be found, and the baskets they made took the place of meat
that other fathers and sons of families would have earned.

Rod, line, and hooks are prime necessaries for fishing; but a fish
rarely bites at a bare hook, so one of Dexter's first proceedings was to
obtain some bait.

Mr Dengate had said that his man should save plenty of gentles for him;
but Dexter resolved not to wait for them that day, but to try what he
could do with worms and paste. So his first proceeding was to appeal to
Mrs Millett for a slice or two of bread.

Mrs Millett was not in the kitchen, but Maria was, and on being
appealed to, she said sharply that she was not the cook.

Dexter looked puzzled, and he flushed a little as he wondered why it was
that the maid looked so cross, and always answered him so snappishly.

Just then Mrs Millett, who was a plump elderly female with a pleasant
countenance and expression, appeared in the doorway, and to her Dexter
appealed in turn.

Mrs Millett had been disposed to look at Dexter from the point of view
suggested by Maria, who had been making unpleasant allusions to the
boy's birth and parentage, and above all to "Master's strange goings
on," ever since Dexter's coming. Hence, then, the old lady, who looked
upon herself as queen of the kitchen, had a sharp reproof on her tongue,
and was about to ask the boy why he hadn't stopped in his own place, and
rung for what he wanted. The frank happy expression on his face
disarmed her, and she smiled and cut the required bread.

"Well, I never!" said Maria.

"Ah, my dear," said Mrs Millett; "I was young once, and I didn't like
to be scolded. He isn't such a bad-looking boy after all, only he will
keep apples in his bedroom, and make it smell."

"What's looks!" said Maria tartly, as she gave a candlestick she was
cleaning a fierce rub.

"A deal, my dear, sometimes," said the old housekeeper. "Specially if
they're sweet ones, and that's what yours are not now."

Dexter was not yet armed with all he wanted, for he was off down the
kitchen-garden in search of worms.

His first idea was to get a spade and dig for himself; but the stern
countenance of Dan'l Copestake rose up before him, and set him wondering
what would be the consequences if he were to be found turning over some
bed.

On second thoughts he determined to find the gardener and ask for
permi