When he got to the gate, he turned round to have one more look at the gay scene. Miles was still standing where he had left him, gazing after his father, and kissing his hand. His was the prominent figure in the foreground, surrounded by the golden corn. Away behind him stretched the lovely landscape, and in the background was the machine returning to its starting point followed by the reapers. Humphrey, sitting by the bailiff, had now got the reins in his own hands, and was cheering on the horses as he came. So Sir Everard left them. Excitement cannot last for ever, and after a time, Humphrey got tired of driving, and got down to play with his little brother. They followed the machine once or twice, picking up the corn, but it was hot work, and they went to rest under the hedge. "It is very hot, even here," said Humphrey, taking off his hat, and fanning himself. "I think we'll go and sit under the tree in the next field, where we sat the Sunday Uncle Charlie was here. Come along." They climbed over the gate, and made for the tree, where they sat down on the grass. "How jolly Uncle Charlie's stories were," sighed Humphrey; "how I wish we could hear them all over again. It's a great pity father ever told me not to climb the bough that sticks out. It would have been the very thing to crawl along, like the man in that story. Father says its rotten and unsafe. I think he _must_ make a mistake; it looks as strong as possible!" He sighed again, and there was a long pause. Presently he resumed. "I don't see why we shouldn't go and _look_. It would be so cool by the pond." "Oh! Humphie, _please_ don't. We shall lose our way, and Virginie will be so angry." "But I know the way quite well from here, Miles. It was only because we started from Dyson's cottage that I lost it before." "But, Humphie, if we get wet again! I _promised_ Fardie not to get ill." "The rain made you wet, Miles, not the pond; and it's not going to rain to-day. Look what a blue sky!" The two little brothers gazed upwards. It was clear overhead, but there was a suspicious bank of clouds in the distance. "Those clouds won't come down till night," Humphrey observed. "Come along. It's not very far." "Better not, Humphie." "I'm only going to look, Miles. What are you afraid of?" "Don't know, Humphie," answered the little fellow, with a tiny shake in his voice; "but _please_ don't let us go!" "Well, you needn't come if you don't like. I'll go alone--I shan't be long." But Miles didn't like being left in the field by himself; so with a little sigh, he got up, and put his hand in his brother's. "I'll come," he said, resignedly. "That's right," said Humphrey; "there's nothing to be afraid of--_is_ there?" "No," said the child; but his face was troubled, and his voice still shook a little.