human
Shall I go away, father?
gpt
No, my boy, no. You are getting old enough now to think seriously; and this draining business will be more for you than for myself--better for your children than for you. Mr Marston has some more ugly news about the work.
human
Ugly news, father?
gpt
Yes, Dick, said Mr Marston;
human
But it did no harm, Mr Marston.
gpt
No, my boy; but the ignorant person who thrust open that gate hoped it would. If it had been a high-tide and a storm, instead of stopping our work for a few hours he might have stopped it for a few weeks.
human
And who do you think it was?
gpt
Someone who hates the idea of the drain being made. I have seen the constable, Mr Winthorpe,
human
Well, and what does he say?
gpt
That he thinks he knows who is at the bottom of all these attacks.
human
And whom does he suspect?
gpt
He will not say, replied the engineer.
human
He only wants time, and then he is going to lay his hand upon the offender.
gpt
Or offenders,
human
Yes, of course, said the engineer;