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? Why? how? What did the two bring? a lot of them? what were their names? What did Veronica do with her stuff? did she leave them around? what did she do with them? Where was Mr. Slee taken to? Was he happy with the state of the room? how do you know? What did Robinas agree with? what was needed in the room? What did Mr Slee agree with? Where did Veronica go? to do what? what? Was Mr. Slee thin? what did he have a habit of?
Daddy Slee bringing the bulkier pony-cart parcels yes Dick and Veronica took off her things no put them away the kitchen no He sighed what trouble children can be! a new stove Robena being able to cook upstairs to read The Vicar of Wakefield, no sighing