"FARM TO LET." 129 



through many a long dull day that serene and 

 smiling look you wear this lovely morning, which 

 even in your plain face betokens something good at 

 heart. Well! may he who wins deserve, as many 

 a sad heart has said, after all its watchful care, in 

 cases not altogether dissimilar. Now let us see 

 something of the suitors ! " 



This last remark seemed to have reference to the 

 heap of letters "marked 1 to 14," but before the 

 action could be suited to the word, it was arrested 

 by something which aforetime has arrested a good 

 many words and actions : a gentle KNOCK.* 



* To tho graphic originality of this chapter wo can only 

 remark, that whoever tho writer may bo, ho adds to his 

 accomplishments as a thoroujh-bred farmer, tho graces of a 



finished scholar. ED. 



6* 



