' FARM TO LET.' 107 



The windows looked eastward, and the sun was 

 shining in; the weighty-looking pacquet had not 

 been long on the table before the door opened, and 

 a shooting-jacket, waistcoat, and trowsers, all of the 

 same pattern, entered the room : a cup of coffee was 

 hastily poured out, and the seal of the pacquet 

 broken. A quantity of letters fell out ; one of 

 which ran as follows : 



' Dear Sir, We enclose to you applications for 

 Farm, marked 1 to 14, of which be pleased to return 

 those you wish answered. Six parties called yester- 

 day, wishing to inspect personally and have refusal 

 of same. We will forward you further particulars 

 to-morrow. 



* We are, Sir, yours very truly, 



* PENN and DEBBITT.' 



' Marked one to fourteen plus six,' muttered the 

 owner of the shooting-jacket, slowly putting down 

 the letter amongst the others, seating himself in the 

 arm-chair and swallowing the lion's half of the first 

 cup of coffee. ' Two days' notice ' no ! not so 

 much ; not two' and twenty applications. Hmm !' 



