WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 95 



couple of plumbers, with the implements of 

 their craft, came out to view the situation. 

 There was a good deal of difference of opin- 

 ion about where the stoppage was. I found 

 the plumbers perfectly willing to sit down 

 and talk about it, talk by the hour. 

 Some of their guesses and remarks were ex- 

 ceedingly ingenious ; and their general ob- 

 servations on other subjects were excellent 

 in their way, and could hardly have been 

 better if they had been made by the job. 

 The work dragged a little, as it is apt to 

 do by the hour. The plumbers had occa- 

 sion to make me several visits. Sometimes 

 they would find, upon arrival, that they had 

 forgotten some indispensable tool ; and one 

 would go back to the shop, a mile and a 

 half, after it ; and his comrade would await 

 his return with the most exemplary patience, 

 and sit down and talk, always by the hour. 

 I do not know but it is a habit to have some- 

 thing wanted at the shop. They seemed to 

 me very good workmen, and always willing 

 to stop and talk about the job, or anything 



