"Oh yes, there are all sorts of attempts," and I told him of model
cottages, ragged schools, and the like, and promised to find him the
accounts; but he gave one of his low growls, as if this were but a
mockery of the direful need.

He had got his statement of Prometesky's case properly drawn up, and
had sent up a copy, but in vain; and had again been told that some
influential person must push it to give it any chance. Mr. Prosser's
acquaintance lay in no such line; or, at least, were most unlikely to
promote the pardon of an old incendiary.

"What will you do?" I asked. "Must you give it up?"

"Never! I will make a way at last."

Meantime, he was necessary to Eustace in accomplishing all the
details of taking possession. Horses were wanted by both, used to
riding as they had always been, and there was an old-fashioned fair
on Neme Heath, just beyond Mycening, rather famous for its good show
of horses, where there was a chance of finding even so rare an
article as a hunter up to Harold's weight, also a pony for Dora.

An excellent show of wild beasts was also there. Harold had been on
the heath when it was being arranged in the earliest morning hours,
and had fraternised with the keepers, and came home loquacious far
more than usual on the wonders he had seen. I remember that, instead
of being disappointed in the size of the lions and tigers, he dwelt
with special admiration on their supple and terrible strength of
spine and paw.