Part 30 (1/2)

Rod, line, and hooks are prime necessaries for fis.h.i.+ng; 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 permission, the dread of not succeeding in his mission making him for the moment more thoughtful.

Dan'l did not need much looking for. He had caught sight of Dexter as soon as he entered the garden, and gave vent to a grunt.

”Now, what mischief's he up to now?” he grumbled; and he set to and watched the boy while making believe to be busy cutting the dead leaves and flowers off certain plants.

He soon became aware of the fact that Dexter was searching for him, and this altered the case, for he changed his tactics, and kept on moving here and there, so as to avoid the boy.

”Here! Hi! Mr Copestake!” cried Dexter; but the old man had been suddenly smitten with that worst form of deafness peculiar to those who will not hear; and it was not until Dexter had pursued him round three or four beds, during which he seemed to be blind as well as deaf, that the old man was able to see him.

”Eh!” he said. ”Master want me?”

”No. I'm going fis.h.i.+ng; and, please, I want some worms.”

”Wums? Did you say wums!” said Dan'l, affecting deafness, and holding his hand to his ear.

”Yes.”

”Ay, you're right; they are,” grumbled Dan'l. ”Deal o' trouble, wums.

Gets inter the flower-pots, and makes wum castesses all over the lawn, and they all has to be swept up.”

”Yes; but I want some for fis.h.i.+ng.”

”'Ficient? Quite right, not sufficient help to get 'em swep' away.”