“I can’t show it to ’ee, for I ain’t got it,” grumbled the boy. “I got a nest, all right; and I got a egg all right. There were four on ’em⁠—all wonderful specks⁠—in thik nest; and I minded what you always says to I, and I only took one.”

“Where is it, then? Show it to us, Lob!”

Lob moved nearer to Wolf. “You won’t let she cheat I of thik threepence,” he pleaded querulously.

“Where is that egg, Lob?” repeated the young girl. “He’s up to something; you mark my words!” she added.

“They girls be never to be trusted, be they?” grumbled the boy, sidling up still closer to Wolf.

“You know perfectly well you can always trust me, Lob!” protested Gerda indignantly. “It’s you who we can’t trust now; isn’t it, Mr. Solent?”