But he had a strange divining instinct, or whatever it may be called.

He made for the field and questioned the workmen.
The field was cut up into allotment gardens.

Here, at a nominal rent, the cottager could grow his vegetables; a little spot of the great acre of England, which gave the labourer a tiny sense of ownership, of manhood.

Gaston was interested.

More, he was determined to carry that experiment further, if he ever got the chance.