Nobody but a fool would go out on to the marshes after dark without a lantern.
The weed on the water makes it the same as the grass, and that old woman who was nearly drowned last winter, you know, she walked straight in, and thought it was dry land." And Loo heard no more, for they were at the door; and Miriam, in the lighted hall, was waiting for them, with all the colour gone from her face.
"He is sure to be in in a few minutes," she said; for she had heard the end of their talk.

She could scarcely have helped hearing Loo's weighty suggestion of a lantern, which had had the effect he must have anticipated.

Sep was already hurriedly searching for matches.

It would be difficult to dissuade him from his purpose.

What boy would willingly give up the prospect of an adventure on the marsh alone, with a bull's-eye?
Miriam tried, and tried in vain.