'TALPA' LOQUITUR. 159 



general discourse before he came to business. In 

 fact he had the true diplomatic tact of always making 

 the business come of itself. ' Well then ! Here's 

 " Better Prices for thirty-six ! " and that's with all 

 my heart, and no mistake,' said he, * topping up,' 

 with a final cup of Coffee, that healthiest and purest 

 of mortal meals, a plain but hearty breakfast. ' And 

 now, Sir, when are we to see 'em ! ' he added, 

 giving his chair a shove sideways, slapping his hands 

 on his knees, and facing me, like a lion refreshed : 

 ' for it's my notion we never shall again ! ' 



* And then ? ' 



' Why the farmers '11 be ruined, and the land '11 

 go out of cultivation.' 



' And the Landlords ? ' 



' Will follow, of course. They depend upon the 

 Farmers, and the farmers on the land.' 



( And the land on the price of Wheat ? ' 



' Surely.' 



* Indeed ! Tell me this, Greening : have rents 

 risen or fallen since the War ? ' 



* Risen, certainly ; and too much, to my think- 

 ing.' 



* And the price of Wheat has been falling : from 

 eighty or ninety shillings a quarter to forty or fifty. 



