I was his representative and factor in Bruttium.

When I visited him here I was no more than a guest and I have had to learn all the workings of the estate from the beginning." "Nonsense!" Tanno rejoined.

"You know each when you see it.

If the tenants pay their rent on time, what do you need to know about how they run their farms ?" "They pay cash and on time," I explained, "but the cash represents half the yield and each manages the sale of his own produce.

It is necessary for the proprietor to understand the capacities of each farm." "And you are proud of a tenantry," he sneered, "so honest that you cannot trust them not to swindle you out of your just dues and on whom you have to spy all the time to get what you should get from them." "You do not understand," I declared.
"Right you are," said Tanno.