human
I think they will be quite all right, Gabrielle said.
gpt
You see Deeping Royal is used to high tides and things of that sort, and people always take refuge in the churches there. The towers were built frightfully strong on purpose. Miss Conyngham once told us about a big flood, in 1830 it was, I think, and the people had to stay in the twin towers all night, while the great waves surged round. One man was so grateful that he gave a new peal of bells to both towers, and put a text on the biggest bell: 'The flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house and could not shake it.'
human
I like that,
gpt
Yes, wasn't it decent, and he never gave his name either; he was a stranger in Deeping Royal, and he just sent the bells from London when he had got away safely. The Vicar had 'The gift of a grateful heart,' carved below his text on the bell, and they ring a peal every year on the anniversary of the great flood in memory of him. That day comes in the spring; we always get high tides--special tides, you know--at spring and autumn.
human
Well, this one will have come to its highest pretty soon, I expect, Joey said.
gpt
You've got a watch, Gabrielle; what's the time?
human
Five past three; and we're just opposite the Round Tower; that means it isn't much more than a mile to Hesgate Rectory. We shall....
gpt
What is it?
human
I don't know, Gabrielle said, staring around her, but Noreen gave a little choke.
gpt
You bet it's the reservoir--that weak bank gone--and it's still forty minutes to high tide.
human
We must get across to the Round Tower.
gpt
It's locked, isn't it? asked Noreen. It was a proof she was inwardly frightened that she did not add,
human
And there's a bad ditch somewhere near it, Joey, Gabrielle added.
gpt
We could never find it now.
human
I could, Joey spoke confidently.
gpt
I've been there, remember. Hold on to me, Gabby; I'm sure I can dodge that ditch; I know where it was.