“You do not seem to know much about the matter.”
“Indeed, I know nothing about it.”
And so forth, upon every subject started: nor did their father appear much more enlightened in his way.
“The cattle seem to have done your field a world of mischief,” observed an English gentleman, “and no wonder, with such a pretence of a fence as that. How long has it been broken down?”
“Indeed I can’t remember.”
“Not this year, or last,” said his landlord, “for I remember advising you three seasons ago to make your boys clear the ground of these stones, which would have built up your wall presently.—You said you would, and I suppose you still mean to do it some day.”
“O aye, some day; and I have spoken to the lads many a time.”
“Speaking does not seem to have done much good.”
“Indeed, your honour’s right.”
“Set about it yourself, I advise you, and then perhaps they will work with you, if you can’t prevail upon them by other means.”