“I weren’t one what ’ud ever ha’ let ’em get empty,” growled Guppy. “Well, I was thinking, now that you haven’t very much to do, you might undertake the control of those meadows down there by the river, if you feel up to it, and it’s not asking too much of you.” “Oh! I could do it,” returned John, in a mollified tone; “I could do it right enough if I was let.” “I should be very much obliged to you,” resumed the Squire, “very much obliged indeed. All that part of the property has got shamefully neglected. I imagine the people think they’ve got a right-of-way.” “Very like they do,” agreed John, whose countenance was gradually clearing; “but I can soon show ’em whether they have or not.” “Just so. Well, will you undertake to look after that part of the estate for me? It will be a great relief to my mind. Don’t overtire yourself, you know; but any day that you are feeling pretty fit you might stroll round, and just keep a sharp look-out.” “’E-es, I could do that,” said John, after considering for a moment; “I could do it all right, Squire. I will look into the matter.” “That’s right. Thank you very much, John. I shall feel quite satisfied about it now.” He nodded, and went away, John looking after him with a satisfied expression. “I never did mind obligin’ the Squire,” he remarked to his wife, “and I’m glad to do en a bit of a good turn i’ my ancient years. ’Tis true what he do say, that there bit down by the river have a-been fearful neglected. I myself could never make time to go down there, and ’t ain’t very likely as these here chaps ’ull go out of their way to look round. I’ll put it to rights, though.” “I’m sure it’s very good o’ you, John,” said Mrs. Guppy, who had listened to the foregoing colloquy with a somewhat mystified air. “I shouldn’t ha’ thought that there was anything worth lookin’ arter down there. Why, the town boys do bathe there reg’lar i’ the summer.” “They’ll not bathe there any more,” returned her lord resolutely. “I’ll teach Mr. Sanders a lesson--I’ll larn ’em how to see arter a place as it did ought to be looked arter! Reach me down that gun, woman!” He sallied forth that very hour, drawing up his little, bent form to as close an approach to straightness as he could manage. His first care on reaching his destination was to examine the gates that gave access to this stretch of meadow-land. He pursed his nether lip and shook his head disapprovingly at their shaky condition, making a mental resolution to repair them at the earliest opportunity, and moreover to see that they were provided with padlocks. After diligently hunting in the neighbouring wood, he discovered a half-defaced board, which had at one time borne the legend, “Trespassers will be prosecuted,” and, with a sigh of satisfaction, placed it in a more prominent position.