Dudley and Roy were eagerly helping and chattering as only boys know
how.
"This little ravine has been formed by a mountain stream rushing down,"
continued the old man, resting on his spade for a minute; "'tis a good
principle, Master Dudley, to trust grown-up folks' knowledge better than
your own."
[Illustration: "Old Principle laughed at Dudley's notion."]
"I wish," said Roy, reflectively, "that this cave was nearer home; it
would be so lovely to come out whenever we wanted to, wouldn't it, Dudley?
Perhaps some king has hidden away in it, or soldier when he was pursued
by his enemies!"
"Hulloo," said Dudley, looking up the hill; "here is such a funny
looking woman coming down with a donkey, her skirt is nearly up to her
knees, and she has a man's boots on."
Old Principle paused in his work, and in a minute or two greeted the
newcomer.
"Good-afternoon, Mrs. Cullen, how's your husband to-day?"
"Badly, very badly, but I's forced to leave he. I lock the door and put
the key in me pocket, for I's bin up the hill yonner cuttin' peat sin
seven o'clock this mornin'. He do get awfu' lonesome, he say, an' if me
niece hadn't a married and gone to 'Merica, I should have kept she to
tend him.
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