In the foreground, the rows of clods shone with an oily gleam in the fading light.

Farther off, the rows converged and melted into a sweep of purple-brown that narrowed as it crossed a distant rise.

There were two other belts; one where white grasses broke through the harrow-torn sod, and another flat and smooth where the land-packer had rolled in the seed.

All told of strenuous effort in which sweating men and horses had been aided by tractor machines.
"Jasper's conservative and I feel I ought to do as much as I can," Festing replied.

"When you bought the place you rather put me on my mettle." Helen gave him a sharp glance.