"But why not?" His eye roved slowly up from my boots to the buttons on my coat.
"Them be fine buttons!" said he.
"Do you think so?"
"Look like silver!"
"They are silver," said I.
"Lord!" he exclaimed, "you wouldn't part wi' they buttons, I suppose?"
"That depends!"
"On what?"
"On how much you would give for them." The Ploughman thrust a hand into a deep pocket, and brought up five shillings.
"I were a-goin' to buy a pair o' boots, on my way 'ome," he explained, "but I'd rayther 'ave they buttons, if five shillin' 'll buy 'em."