A plough which seemed as though it had been embedded there for ages, stood in the middle of a half-ploughed field.

Several tracts of land which seemed prepared for winter sowing were covered with stones.

The farmhouse yard, into which they presently passed, was dirty and untidy.

Segerson leaned down and knocked on the door with his whip.
After a short delay, a slatternly-looking woman, with tousled fair hair, answered the summons.
"Mr.Crockford in ?" Segerson asked.
"You'll find him in the living room," the woman answered curtly, with a stare at Lady Jane.

"Here's himself." She retreated into the background.