BIRDS' NESTS. 153 



did not get five shillings'-worth of vegetables 

 out of the garden all the year round." 



"Certainly," said Mr. Miller, "eight shil- 

 lings a-week does seem very little to clothe 

 and feed a family, but I should think your 

 eldest boy was able to do something to main- 

 tain himself by this time; and most of the 

 women get well paid for their work at the 

 time of sowing beans and potatoes, as well as 

 at hay and corn harvest." 



" Well, Sir, I suppose I don't earn less than 

 my neighbours, for that matter ; but what is 

 that trifle, when you. have to set against it the 

 bill at the shop for tea, and candles, and soap, 

 and such like ? " 



Mr. Miller thought that the sum expended in 

 soap must be very small; though he did not 

 say so ; but added, " I thought your landlord 

 did not require his rent to be paid every week, 

 but called for it only once a-year, at the end 

 of harvest, when his tenants can best spare 

 the money ? " 



