Dick o' the Fens

Dick Winthorpe-christened Richard by order of his father at the Hall-sat on the top of the big post by the wheelwright's door. It was not a comfortable seat, and he could only keep his place by twisting his legs round and holding on; but as there was a spice of difficulty in the task, Dick chose it, and sat there opposite Tom Tallington-christened Thomas at the wish of his mother, Farmer Tallington's wife, of Grimsey, the fen island under the old dyke.