158 CHRONICLES OF A CLAY FARM. 



throw them out of gear, but she'll be down upon you, 

 somewhere. Green-crop versus Grain-crop ! Which 

 would you show favour to, if either? the man who 

 comes to make an investment to earn a crop, know- 

 ing the cost, or the spoiler that comes to take one, 

 counting nothing ? him that comes to sow before he 

 reaps, or him that comes to reap before he sows? 

 Do you remember what I said about ' Grace before 

 meat/ " 



" Yes, yes ! I remember it, I've thought of it too, 

 though I never did in that way 'xactly before. I see 

 your meaning, now. But but about the- What 

 was it you said about the Rents ?" 



" Ah ! the core ! the vital point is n't it ? touch 

 it tenderly for the life of you ! " 



" But will they fall?" 



" Will they stop rising a bit ? Catch that fish first. 

 Get him well on the hook : land him carefully ; and 

 you won't have quite an empty basket, I can tell you. 

 I'm not sure if it won't take care of itself afterwards. 

 Which farm pays the best rent, even now, the one 

 where the highest was promised or the other?" 



Mr. Greening drew in his lips and shook his head. 

 " Let the Landlords answer that. ' 'Taint all gold 

 that glitters.' " 



