128 CHRONICLES OF A CLAY FARM. 



parties who called, wishing to inspect personally and 

 have refusal of same. "We will forward you further 

 particulars to-morrow. 



"We are, Sir, yours very truly, 



" PENN and DEBBITT." 



"Marked one to fourteen plus six" muttered the 

 owner of the shooting-jacket, slowly putting down the 

 letter among the others, seating himself in the arm- 

 chair and swallowing the lion's half of the first cup 

 of coffee. "Two days' notice no! not so much; 

 not two and twenty applications. Hmm!" 



Having delivered himself of this reflection with 

 that deliberate and abstracted utterance betokening 

 more thought than syllables, he gradually fell into a 

 posture the head upon the hand and the elbow on 

 the chair-arm which indicates that state of mind 

 deriving its name from the cloven-footed race who 

 patiently swallow things twice over, dining at one 

 hour and chewing at another yclept 'Ruminating. 



"And so, my poor old Farm, I must now bid you 

 farewell. I who have taken your part through good 

 and ill report know the course of every drain and 

 could find blindfold every weeping outflow that has 

 wrought so fair a change in your once untoward 

 look, and ill-name : earth's tears of penitence and 

 Promise! I who have taught you by anxious toil 



