LOW PRICES AND LONG FACES. 157 



forty-acre piece, the Brickfield-close I think you call 

 it? Didn't he think them big enough?" 



"He didn't tell me: he couldn't, indeed : for he 

 only looked over the hedge at tfiem, saying that 'it 

 wasn't a Turnip farm.' As he spoke to himself 

 rather than to me, I didn't gainsay him. But as it 

 takes me a long time to say any thing smart, I 

 accepted that as a notice, and prepared my answer 

 for what I foresaw was coming when we had done 

 riding through the stubbles : and as I think his 

 hoofs were on every acre of them, I had time 

 enough for preparation." 



A short silence ensued. The Ash-stick and the 

 spur seemed to work less emphatically. The horses 

 dropped into a walk : they were nearing the town 



of , which began to loom through the morning 



mist. The approaching termination of the ride 

 seemed to bring the two saddles closer together. 



" I think I know what you mean. I had an ink- 

 ling of it before, when I heard the story from old 

 Dobson; but I see it plainer-like now, after what 

 you've said. Tou likes a man as thinks of grace 

 before meat" said Mr. Greening in a sort of under 

 tone, and looking up into the face of the other, sig- 

 nificantly, and with an expression of half inquiry. 



"You've described it more shortly and better 



