130 Grumhli. 



somewhat of the tint of bronze, and somewhat 

 of the hue of maize ; but these are poor words 

 wherewith to render fixed a color that plays over the 

 surface of this 3'ellow sea, for if you take one, two, 

 or a dozen ears \o\\ shall not find it, but must look 

 abroad, and let your gaze travel to and fro. Nor 

 is every field ahke ; here are acres and acres more 

 yellow, 3'onder a space whiter, beyond that a slope 

 richly ruddy, according to the kind of seed that was 

 sown. Out of the depths of what to it must seem 

 an impenetrable jungle, from visiting a flower hidden 

 below, a humble-bee climbs rapidly up a stalk a yard 

 or two away while you look, and mounting to the top 

 of the ear, as a post of vantage clear of obstructions, 

 sails away upon the wind. 



' We be all jolly vellers what vollers th' plough ! ' 



— but not to listen to, and take literally according to 

 the letter of the discourse. It runs something like 

 this the seasons through as the weather changes : 

 ' Terrible dry weather this here to be sure ; we got so 

 much work to do uz can't get drough it. The fl}^ be 

 swarming in the turmots — the smut be on the wheat 



— the wuts be amazing weak in the straw. Got a 

 fine crop of wheat this 3"ear, and prices be low, so uz 

 had better drow it to th' pigs. Last year uz had no 

 wheat fit to speak on, and prices was high. Drot 

 this here wet weather ! the osses be all in the stable 

 eating their heads off", and the chaps be all idling 

 about and can't do no work : a pretty penny for 

 wages and not a job done. Them summer ricks be 

 all rotten at bottom. The ploughing-engine be stuck 

 fast up to the axle, the land be so soft and squishey. 

 Us never gets no good old frosts now, like tliey used 



