"I have come to tell you that I shall not be prepared to renew it." The man simply blinked at her.

His fuddled brain was not equal to grappling with such a catastrophe.
"Your farm is favourably situated," she continued, "and, although small, has great possibilities.

I find you are dropping behind your neighbours and your crops are poorer each season.

Have you saved any money, Crockford ?" "Saved any money," the man blustered, "with shepherd's wages alone at two pounds a week, and a week's rain starting in the day I began hay-making.

Why, my barley--" "You started your hay-making ten days too late," Segerson interrupted sternly.