human
Don't yow fret, lad, said Dave.
gpt
Bahds is all reight. They wean't hoort. Wait till watter goos down a bit and you an' me'll have rare sport.
human
Ay, and rabbuds is all reight too, young mester, added John Warren.
gpt
They knows the gainest way to get up stairs. They're all happed up warm in their roons, ready to come out as soon as the watter goos down.
human
But how did it happen?
gpt
Happen, lad!
human
Yes; what caused the flood?
gpt
Oh, I d'n'know, growled Dave slowly.
human
Happen sea-bank broke to show folk as fen warn't niver meant to be drained, eh, John Warren?
gpt
Ay, that's it, lad. Folk talks o' draaning fen, and such blather. Can't be done.
human
I say, John, I don't want the fen drained,
gpt
Good lad!
human
But don't let father hear what you say, because he won't like it.
gpt
Nay, I sha'n't say nowt,
human
Nay, nor me neither, only natur's natur, and floods is floods,
gpt
Now, then, cried the squire, coming quickly to the door,
human
Hickathrift and I are going in the big punt to see if we can help the Tallingtons; the stream isn't so strong now. Are you men going to try to help us?
gpt
Get Farmer Tallington out? said Dave.
human
Ay, we are coming.
gpt
Let me come too, father,
human
No, my lad, I'm afraid I--
gpt
Don't say that, father; let me go.
human
No no, Dick, cried Mrs Winthorpe, entering the kitchen, for she had been upon the alert.
gpt
You have run risks enough to-night.
human
Yes; stay and take care of the women, Dick,
gpt
Mother wants me to grow up a coward, he cried.
human
Oh, mother, it's too bad!
gpt
But, Dick, my boy,
human
Let the boy come, wife, said the squire quietly;
gpt
I'll take care of him.
human
Yes, and I'll take care of father,