OR, WITH BRAINS, SIR. 325 



" To save time. I could do it as well as lie, and so leave 

 him free to work on the farm." 



" A very sensible plan," said the doctor. 



Here we were startled by a knock at the door. On open- 

 ing it, I was surprised to find our neighbor, Comfort Jones, 

 on the step. 



Here was a chance for a triumph, and I improved it. Our 

 visitors, no doubt, had the usual city ideas of country people. 

 Here was a pet sample of a country lady, and I paraded her 

 before their astonished eyes with an immense deal of satis- 

 faction. They were captivated at once. They had never 

 met a more charming old lady, they said, after she had 

 gone. Robert offered a seat, and, after being introduced, 

 Mrs. Jones sat down with us before the fire, and our circle 

 was complete. 



" We were about giving our city-friends some account 

 of our doings since we turned market-gardeners. I sup- 



4 



pose you have no objection to hearing it also." 



" Objection ! Oh, no ! nothing would afford me greater 

 pleasure. It is the very thing of all others I should like to 

 hear about. I should like especially to hear if it is true 

 that you made money by your farm. Some seem to think 

 you did, and others say it is not possible to make anything 

 out of so small a place." 



" The very point I was trying to get at," said the doctor. 



