"Is that for potatoes?" I asked, wishing to show not only interest but knowledge.
He tilted his cap to one side and viewed the bare expanse of upturned earth.
"Oi 'ad taters in 'ere last; thought oi'd dig it a bit. Diggin' allays comes in 'andy."
"Oh, yes;" and then I made a fresh start. "I wanted to know about those bulbs you planted last autumn. Did they come up?"
This was evidently an awkward question.
"Bulbs! Oh, there wur a few wot the Rector give me some toime back lars year. They didn't come to much. Never knows with bulbs, you don't!"
"Oh! but bulbs ought to come up."
"Some on 'em do, some times. Don't 'old myself with them furrin koinds."
"What, not with Dutch bulbs? Why, they grow the best kind in Holland."