184 CHRONICLES OF A CLAY FARM. 



Grain-crop! "Which would you show favor to, 

 if either? the man who comes to make an in- 

 vestment to earn a crop, knowing the cost, 

 or the spoiler that comes to take one, counting 

 nothing? him that comes to sow before he reaps, 

 or him that comes to reap before he sows? Do 

 you remember what I said about 'Grace before 

 meat.'" 



" Yes, yes ! I remember it, I ' ve thought of it too, 

 though I never did in that way 'xactly before. I 

 see your meaning, now. But but about the 

 "What was it you said about the Rents ? " 



"Ah! the core! the vital point isn't it? touch 

 it tenderly for the life of you ! " 



"But will they fall?" 



"Will they stop rising a bit? Catch that fish 

 first. Get him well on the hook: land him care- 

 fully; and you won't have quite an empty basket, 

 I can tell you. I'm not sure if it won't take care 

 of itself afterward. Which farm pays the ~best 

 rent, even now, the one where the highest was 

 promised or the other f " 



Mr. Greening drew in his lips and shook his 

 head. "Let the Landlords answer that. "Taint 

 all gold that glitters.'" 



