' FARM TO LET.' 103 



* Yes: No: What is it:' said the voice from 

 the fireplace, uninquiringly, and smothered in a 

 ' leading article.' 



e Why here's a Farm of two hundred and fifty 

 acres to let * drained and otherwise improved by the 

 proprietor.' I wonder whose it is : that's just the 

 sort of farm young What's-'is-name was wanting 

 that 'ou'djust suit him, wouldn't it?' 



' Well, what is his name,' returned the other 

 voice, uninquiringly again, and never looking up. 



' Why young oh ! what is his name I shall 

 forget my own soon' (a grunt from the fireplace) 

 ' young Leejohn, you know him. You don't mean 

 to say you don't know him ? ' 



' I didn't say I didn't,' answered Mr. Bowles with 

 provoking gravity of iteration, bent upon giving the 

 smallest modicum of intellect to anything else till he 

 had finished his ' leader:' which having just accom- 

 plished he starts up, lets go the hobs, and parting 

 his coat-tails, turns round, and again takes possession 

 of the fire ; indescribably ; and waking up to the 

 subject, asks, 



' But how can he take it: you said 10/. to the 

 acre didn't you ? He hasn't the money. (' Legion ' 

 indeed !) 



