Dorothy easily obtained Mrs. Longton's consent, so she and the three young Helms took packets of lunch and started to walk over the fells to Lingham, a distance of about four miles. The weather was still cold, and the crests of some of the highest hills were tipped with snow. The keen, bracing air felt like a tonic. The four strode along briskly over the short moorland grass, admiring the rugged gorge whence the river flowed first between two sheer walls of limestone, and then through a chasm that seemed to have been made by the rending asunder of a mountain of rock. "It's a primeval kind of place," said Gabrielle. "One can understand what a terrible upheaval there must have been to split the cliffs and twist all the strata out of shape. What enormous force it must have needed! One wonders if any human beings were there when it happened." "If there were, they wouldn't be there long," said Percy. "The smallest of those rocks would be enough to crush an army." "It's a pity Alison isn't here," remarked Dorothy. "She's rather keen on geology, and one gets a much better general view of the gorge from here than from the Hydro." "Yes, I'm sorry she wasn't allowed to come," replied Gabrielle. "I think Mrs. Clarke is fearfully nervous. I'm glad Mother doesn't fuss over me to such an extent. Still, it has another side to it--it must be rather nice to be a treasured only child!" "Then you should have been born in a different family; you made a bad choice in ours," said Eric. "How many of you are there altogether?" asked Dorothy. "Seven; we've left the little ones behind." "Only Norma goes to the Coll." "Yes; the other three are nursery children. You don't know what it is to be eldest daughter. Be thankful you haven't three small nuisances at home." "I wish I had!" said Dorothy. "All right; you may change places with me. I'll hand over the whole set of brothers and sisters, Percy and Eric included." "A happy exchange for us!" murmured Percy, with a look at Dorothy. "You horrid boy!" said Gabrielle. "I want to know why Percy has brought that coil of rope with him," enquired Dorothy. "I've been wondering ever since we started." "Well, I'm quite prepared to satisfy your curiosity. Let us sit down and eat our lunch while I expound; there are some jolly stones here for seats." All four were very ready for lunch, though it was only twelve o'clock. The keen air had given them fine appetites, and the ham sandwiches and chicken drumsticks disappeared quickly, not to speak of the bread and cheese and cakes. "They don't put up bad lunches at the Hydro.," said Percy, aiming his last chicken bone at a bird that flew overhead. "What about the rope?" asked Dorothy again. "I'm still inquisitive."