MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 97 



with the implements of their craft, came 

 out to view the situation. There was 

 a good deal of difference of opinion 

 about where the stoppage was. I found 

 the plumbers perfectly willing to sit 

 down and talk about it, talk by the 

 hour. Some of their guesses and re 

 marks were exceedingly ingenious ; and 

 their general observations on other sub 

 jects were excellent in their way, and 

 could hardly have been better if they 

 had been made by the job. The work 

 dragged a little as it is apt to do by 

 the hour. The plumbers had occasion to 

 make me several visits. Sometimes 

 they would find, upon arrival, that they 

 had forgotten some indispensable tool; 

 and one would go back to the shop, a 

 mile and a half, after it ; and his com 

 rade would await his return with the 

 most exemplary patience, and sit down 

 and talk, always by the hour. I do 



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