MEN MUST BE MEN, NOT MASTERS. 53 



the different gardening books and papers I 

 could afford, and more ; and I often went 

 and looked at other places, and saw what 

 other people were doing. You may stop at 

 home and look at your own doings till you 

 think you cannot be beaten j but I've learnt 

 there's nothing like looking about you ; and 

 however well you may do a thing, try and 

 do it better. 



I did not see the squire for some time 

 after I got back, for the family went away 

 the next day ; but when he came home, and 

 into the garden, I was nailing some trees, 

 and he came beside me before I was 'ware 

 of it, and looking very slily and kindly, he 

 said, " Is that you, Gregory ?" 



"Yes, sir," said I; " and very much 

 obliged to you I am for all favours." 



" You will have nothing to thank me 

 for," said he, " if you do what I wish ; and 

 if I tell you to cut off half the trees' heads 

 in the orchard, I'll have it done, though I'll 

 hear all you've got to say against it; and I'll 

 not blame you if I do wrong. If you gar- 

 deners don't take care, you'll sicken half the 

 masters in the country, and they'll employ 

 labourers instead ; for I'd rather plough my 







