"Hollo, Sam," shouted out their guide: the dog's barking was instantly changed into a joyful whine. A door opened a few yards in front of them, and a dark figure appeared in the midst of a square opening all ablaze with cheerful light. "Hollo, Sam," said Mr Tankardew again, in a more subdued voice. "Is that you, mayster? All right," cried the other. "I've brought you some company, Sam, rather late though." "You're welcome, mayster, company and all," was the reply. In a few moments all three had entered, and found themselves in an enormous kitchen, nearly large enough to accommodate a village. Huge beams crossed the low white ceiling; great massive doors opened in different directions rather on the slant through age, and giving a liberal allowance of space at top and bottom for ventilation. A small colony of hams and flitches hung in view; and a monstrous chimney, with a fire in the centre, invited a nearer approach, and seemed fashioned for a cozy retiring place from the world of kitchen. Everything looked warm and comfortable, from the farmer, his wife and daughter, to the two cats dozing on the hearth. Vessels of copper, brass, and tin shone so brightly that it seemed a shame to use them for anything but looking- glasses; while tables and chairs glowed with the results of perpetual friction. "Come, sit ye down, sit ye down, ladies," said Mrs Hodges; "there, come into the chimney nook: eh! Deary me! Ye're quite wet." "Yes, Betty," said Mr Tankardew, "these ladies joined a party to the hills, and, coming back, they've been nearly upset into the brook, which is running now like a mill stream; they came in an omnibus, and very nearly stuck fast in the middle; it is a mercy they were not all drowned; no thanks to the driver, though." "Poor things," exclaimed the farmer's wife; "come, I must help you to some dry things, such as they are: and you must stay here to-night; it is not fit for you to go home, indeed it is not," she added, as Mrs Franklin prepared to decline. "I'll make you as comfortable as ever I can. Jane, go and put a fire in the Red-room." "Indeed," said Mrs Franklin, "I can't think of allowing you to put yourself to all this trouble; besides, our servants will be alarmed when they find us not returning." "Leave that to me, madam," said Mr Tankardew; "I shall sleep at the `Wheatsheaf' to-night, and will take care to send a trusty messenger over to `The Shrubbery' to tell them how matters stand; and Mr Hodges will, I am sure, drive you over in his gig in the morning. Hark how the rain comes down! You really must stop: Mrs Hodges will make you very comfortable." With many thanks, but still with considerable reluctance, Mrs Franklin acquiesced in this arrangement. Their hostess then accommodated them with such garments as they needed, and all assembled round the blazing fire. Mr Tankardew had divested himself of a rough top coat, and, looking like the gentleman he was, begged Mrs Hodges to give them some tea.