Dickon sat cross-legged with his rabbit asleep on his arm and a hand resting on the lamb's back.

Soot had pushed away a squirrel and huddled close to him on his shoulder, the gray film dropped over his eyes.

At last Colin stopped.
"Now I am going to walk round the garden," he announced.
Ben Weatherstaff's head had just dropped forward and he lifted it with a jerk.
"You have been asleep," said Colin.
"Nowt o' th' sort," mumbled Ben.

"Th' sermon was good enow--but I'm bound to get out afore th' collection." He was not quite awake yet.
"You're not in church," said Colin.
"Not me," said Ben, straightening himself.

"Who said I were?
I heard every bit of it.