140 CHRONICLES OF A CLAY FARM. 



comes to the green. He says stems pay quicker than 

 roots : and Stock's expensive ; so he starts at once 

 with the high figures though, my life ! 'tis but a 

 low un now, for that matter. Do you think, Sir, 

 it'll ever get up again ? ' 



* The old question again ! I'm afraid, Greening, 

 you'd never hear out the answer, even if I could give 

 it. Sharp questioners are short listeners.' 



1 Oh ! trust me for that : if you'd spare me the 

 val'e of a half-hour's walk through those Swedes 

 again (I should like to see how the dibb'd uns get on), 

 I think I can take all you'll give, and ask for more.' 



* Oh, you 're most welcome to see the Swedes : 

 you'll come round to the dibbing, depend on it, and 

 when we've done there ' 



' I shall come round to something else ! Ah ! 

 that's capital ! No, no, no ! ' said Mr. Greening, 

 laughing and suddenly bending his pony's shaggy 

 neck with a jerk of both reins towards the street 

 that led into the cattle-fair, for they had reached 

 the town, and the turn brought the colloquy to an 

 end. * Well, I shall keep you to your promise, Sir, 

 howsomever. Please to look out for a trespasser 

 on Monday morning! you'll be most like to catch 

 me early. I haven't forgot your words last autumn 



