small boat was always moored to a chain. The chain was stretched
across the river, fixed to the staples driven into the rock on
either side, and the boat was pulled backwards and forwards over the
stream without aid from oars or paddles. From the opposite side a
path led through the woods and across the fields to Penrith, and
this was the route commonly used between Thwaite Hall and the town.

Major Garrow was a retired officer of Engineers, who had seen
service in all parts of the world, and who was now spending the
evening of his days on a small property which had come to him from
his father. He held in his own hands about twenty acres of land,
and he was the owner of one small farm close by, which was let to a
tenant. That, together with his half-pay, and the interest of his
wife's thousand pounds, sufficed to educate his children and keep
the wolf at a comfortable distance from his door. He himself was a
spare thin man, with quiet, lazy, literary habits. He had done the
work of life, but had so done it as to permit of his enjoying that
which was left to him. His sole remaining care was the
establishment of his children; and, as far as he could see, he had
no ground for anticipating disappointment. They were clever, good-
looking, well-disposed young people, and upon the whole it may be
said that the sun shone brightly on Thwaite Hall. Of Mrs. Garrow it
may suffice to say that she always deserved such sunshine.

For years past it had been the practice of the family to have some
sort of gathering at Thwaite Hall during Christmas. Godfrey Holmes
had been left under the guardianship of Major Garrow, and, as he had
always spent his Christmas holidays with his guardian, this,
perhaps, had given rise to the practice. Then the Coverdales were
cousins of the Garrows, and they had usually been there as children.