Still, my sister refuses to own the scientific
merits of the natural system, and can point to school-bred and
lectured young ladies who have no notion how to discover the name or
nature of a live plant.
On the Friday after our arrival the noises had been so fearful that
Griff had been exasperated into going off across the hills,
accompanied by his constant shadow, Martyn, in search of the
professional ratcatcher of the neighbourhood, in spite of Chapman's
warning--that Tom Petty was the biggest rascal in the neighbourhood,
and a regular out and out poacher; and as to the noises--he couldn't
'tackle the like of they.' After revelling in the beauty of the
beechwoods as long as was good for me or for Clarence, I was left in
the garden to sketch the ruin, while my two companions started on
one of their exploring expeditions.
It was getting late enough to think of going to prepare for the six
o'clock dinner when Emily came forth alone from the path between the
trees, announcing--'An adventure, Edward! We have had such an
adventure.'
'Where's Clarence?'
'Gone for the doctor! Oh, no; Griff hasn't shot anybody. He is
gone for the ratcatcher, you know. It is a poor little herdboy, who
tumbled out of a tree; and oh! such a sweet, beautiful, young lady--
just like a book!'
When Emily became less incoherent, it appeared that on coming out on
the bit of common above the wood, as she and Clarence were halting
on the brow of the hill to admire the view, they heard a call for
help, and hurrying down in the direction whence it proceeded they
saw a stunted ash-tree, beneath which were a young lady and a little
child bending over a village lad who lay beneath moaning piteously.
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