154 BIRDS' NESTS. 



" Yes, Sir, and so he does. Many's the 

 time I have said how hard it is, that, after 

 toiling and moiling as we do all harvest-time, 

 from daybreak till you can't see your hand, 

 all our earnings should go to pay for this dirty 

 hole." 



" Well, really I cannot see that your land- 

 lord treats you hardly at all. He has laid out 

 a good deal of money on this house, I know. 

 The walls and roof are very good, the windows 

 were in good repair when you first came here, 

 and the garden-ground is as good as any in 

 the parish. It seems to me very reasonable, 

 that he should expect to have his rent, and if 

 he consents to receive it once a-year out of 

 your harvest-money, it is for your convenience 

 and not his." 



" Sir, I know you gentlefolks can always 

 make it out very plainly, that poor people 

 always spend their earnings in drink and fine 

 clothes. I dare say you think my husband 

 goes to the alehouse ; but I can say what a 



