80 CHRISTMAS 



It was evident that owing to the increase in price 

 of most eatables the poor, both in towns and in 

 country villages, would have to be careful of money. 

 Even a fourpenny return ticket to a neighbouring 

 town has to be considered before it is bought. 

 Never before have hawkers with their barrows of 

 vegetables and apples had such prosperous days, 

 for shops have increased their prices and therefore 

 the man who grows stuff in his own garden and 

 can sell direct to the consumer, taking the cabbages 

 or onions to each door, is extra welcome this year. 

 The prospect of being able to supply fresh vegetables 

 to our villagers and thereby increase our market- 

 garden sales seemed desirable, and so it has come 

 about that upon a regular day each week students 

 go forth from the garden, rolling behind them a 

 wooden hand-barrow, upon which, in neat bundles, 

 are disposed all sorts of tempting-looking vege- 

 tables. It is long and narrow, painted light blue, 

 and has two wheels. From the corners rise up 

 four slender uprights, and to these are attached 

 small flags of many colours. This makes it look 

 exceedingly gay and gives a patriotic appearance 

 to its somewhat coster-barrow semblance as it 

 trundles down the steep hill, surrounded by a 

 band of youthful, good-looking attendants. The 

 big garden bell, that usually does office as a re- 

 minder that work hours commence or cease, is 

 taken too, and once the village is reached, its 

 deep-sounding notes warn the housewives that 

 they should come to their doors and select the 

 vegetables of their choice. As the cottages all 

 the way up the village street are visited, the hand- 



