116 GARDENERS AND THEIR PUBLIC BREAKFAST. 



times made out; and now what I've thought 

 all along I'm sure's right. If he's been 

 down on the gardeners, like he was on the 

 two you saw with me coming away from 

 him, there's been faults on both sides, de- 

 pend on it." " You' re right there, Gre- 

 gory," said he, "and that's the truth; and 

 you never saw people so improved in your 

 life as we gardeners are ; and so you'll say 

 when we get to the breakfast-room. Come 

 along." I said it to their faces, and I'll 

 say it behind their backs, that I wouldn't 

 have believed there was such a set of gar- 

 deners as I saw there that day, and the 

 young ones in particular. They'd have 

 been none the worse for a little less of Jack 

 Brag, and a little less talk about " my go- 

 vernor," and " my old man," and " my old 

 lady," when they spoke about their employ- 

 ers; for I like to see a man speak with 

 respect of those he serves. They rubbed 

 me a pretty deal when we got free and easy 

 after breakfast ; but my friend said there 

 was always a deal of " chaff" at such times 

 and in such talk ; and I quite believed him 

 from what I heard. But, dear me, what a 

 breakfast we had, and what a pleasant sight 



