When they got up to go she went out with them, and offered to put them across the Mere in the boat. "Yo're going back to London?" asked Kattie of Jim, as they threaded their way through the sand-hills. "We go back to-morrow. They don't give us long holidays, you see." "London's a grand place, they say." "In some ways, Kattie, but in most ways I'd sooner live at Carne." "Ech, I'd give a moight to see London," she sighed. "You'd soon have enough of it and want to get home again." "It's main dull here, year in, year out. I'm sick o' sand and sea," And then they were scrambling into the boat and trimming it to the requirements of so large a party. They said good-bye to Kattie at the other side of the Mere; and when they waved their hands to her for the last time, she was still standing watching them and wishing for the wider life beyond the sand-hills and the sea. Sir George and Margaret Herapath gave them the warmest of welcomes, and Jim tackled the master at once on the subject of Paddy. "But, Grace, where on earth can you keep him?" remonstrated the Rev. Charles. "I supposed it was all a joke when I heard you discussing it before." "Paddy is no joke, as you will know when you've seen him in one of his tantrums. I shall keep him in my bedroom. He will occupy the sofa," said Miss Grace didactically. "Was ever inoffensive parson burdened with such a baggage before?" "You silly old dear, I'll find a dozen places to keep him in the village, and a score of willing hands to rub him down whenever he needs it." "Of course you will," echoed Jim. "And if you can't I'll come and do it myself. Let's go and look at the dear old boy." And they sauntered off to the stables. "See here, my boy," said Sir George, slipping his arm through Jim's, "if I'd had the slightest idea Gracie would have taken him I'd have offered him to her long since." "You'll spoil one of the greatest enjoyments of my life if you do that, sir. Please don't!" "But----" "I've got heaps of money. If you've anything that would make a good charger knocking about too, I'm your man." "Ah--you're sure of going, then?" "If any one goes, I'm going, sir--if I have to exchange for it." "You're all alike. George writes just in the same strain. God grant some of you may come back!" "Some of us wouldn't be much missed if we didn't." And Sir George wondered what was wrong now. They had no difficulty in coming to terms about Paddy, and Jim's pocket did not suffer greatly, but Sir George would not part with any of his horses to be food for powder. Jack, feeling just a trifle left out in the matter of Paddy, obtained Gracie's permission to send her from London a new saddle and accompanying gear, and vowed they should all be the very best he could procure. CHAPTER XXXVI JIM'S WAY