CHAPTER VII 



Dick and Veronica returned laden with parcels. They explained that "Daddy Slee," as it appeared he was generally called, a local builder of renown, was following in his pony-cart, and was kindly bringing the bulkier things with him. 

"I tried to hustle him," said Dick, "but coming up after he had washed himself and had his tea seemed to be his idea of hustling. He has got the reputation of being an honest old Johnny, slow but sure; the others, they tell me, are slower. I thought you might care, later on, to talk to him about the house." 

Veronica took off her things and put them away, each one in its proper place. She said, if no one wanted her, she would read a chapter of "The Vicar of Wakefield," and retired upstairs. Robina and I had an egg with our tea; Mr. Slee arrived as we had finished, and I took him straight into the kitchen. He was a large man, with a dreamy expression and a habit of sighing. He sighed when he saw our kitchen. 

"There's four days' work for three men here," he said, "and you'll want a new stove. Lord! what trouble children can be!" 

Robina agreed with him. 

"Meanwhile," she demanded, "how am I to cook?" 

"Myself, missie," sighed Mr. Slee, "I don't see how you are going to cook." 

"We'll all have to tramp home again," thought Dick. 

"And tell Little Mother the reason, and frighten her out of her life!" retorted Robina indignantly. 
Who was following the two?
They explained that "Daddy Slee," as it appeared he was generally called, a local builder of renown, was following in his pony-cart,