Before we parted from these girls we saw two sturdy young men and a woman putting off from the Berkshire shore, and then Dick bethought him of a little banter of the girls, and asked them how it was that there was nobody of the male kind to go with them across the water, and where their boats were gone to. Said one, the youngest of the party: ‘O, they have got the big punt to load stone from up the water.’

‘Who do you mean by “they”, dear child?’ said Dick.

Said an older girl, laughing: ‘You had better go and see them. Look there,’ and she pointed north-west, ‘don't you see building going on there?’

‘Yes,’ said Dick, ‘and I am rather surprised at this time of the year; why are they not haymaking with you?’

The girls all laughed at this, and before their laugh was over, the Berkshire boat had run on to the grass and the girls stepped in lightly, still sniggering, while the newcomers gave us the sele of the day. But before they were under way again, the tall girl said: ‘Excuse us for laughing, dear neighbours, but we have had some friendly bickering with the builders up yonder, and as we have no time to tell you the story, you had better go and ask them: they will be glad to see you – if you don't hinder their work.’