“John Legg bought out the old greengrocer, shop, stock, house, furniture and good will. The rectory people dealt with him, as why not when he was the only greengrocer in the village? And so he made the acquaintance of their servant, Julia Quin, and soon proposed to marry her, and as she did not wish to leave Medge and go with the rector and his wife to Haymore, she accepted honest John Legg. And I hear that they make a very comfortable couple.” “How do you know all this here you are a-telling me of so confident like?” “Because in your interests I made very minute inquiries into all the circumstances, and Mr. Campbell was so good as to give me all the particulars,” replied Longman. “And, Dandy, will you let me speak to my other friends—they are waiting, you see?” “Sartinly, Mr. Longman. Who’s a-hindering on you? I myself am going into the town to send a telescope message to my niece,” replied the old man, and with a low bow, intended for all the company, he turned and left the room. Ran hastily shook hands with Longman, then leaving him with the others, hurried out after his old friend, whom he found on the drive. “Dandy! Dandy, I say! Please stop!” he called. “Well, Mr. Hay, what’s your will, sir?” the old fellow demanded, turning to face his host. “You must not walk into the village. Take the dogcart.” “You are very kind, Mr. Hay, sir; but——” “I will have my way. Come down with me to the stables. I have not seen them yet. But I know there is a dogcart, because Mr. Walling, who is always wide awake, took a drive in it this morning to get an appetite for his breakfast before we were up,” said Ran, as he turned into a footpath leading through the grounds to the rear of the hall, far behind which were the stables. Dandy followed him, if the truth is to be told, not unwilling to spare his old limbs by riding instead of walking to the village. The stable yard occupied full a square quarter acre of ground, walled in by massive stone buildings, consisting of stables proper, carriage houses, harness rooms, coachman’s and groom’s quarters and kennels. It was full of activity on this morning; for all the fourlegged creatures there, horses and hounds, seemed spoiling for a run, and were venting their impatience of restraint—the horses by neighing and kicking and the hounds by howling and scratching. “Yo’ ought to have a good hunting party of gentlemen down here for a few weeks, sir, to take the devil out of the brutes,” said the old head groom, touching his hat to his master. “All in good time—a——Tell me your name.” “Hobbs, sir, at your sarvice.” “Well, Hobbs, if you have a steady-going horse, have him put to a dogcart, and find a careful boy to drive Mr. Quin to the village.” “Yes, sir. Old Dick will be the hoss and Young Sandy the driver. I’ll go and give the order.” The groom went across the yard on his errand, while Ran and Dandy walked off to the kennels to look at the dogs.