"Oh! don't you see it's all right to do that, because it shows you you have done them all wrong."
"I think you have misunderstood the idea of 'pricking out,'" I said coldly.
The Young Man was so full of information he paid no attention to my offended dignity or Jim's mirth.
"I learnt it on purpose to show you. I planted a box full at home and the gardener came round and did that to my plants. I nearly whacked him on the head."
"You're a parson," interrupted Jim, "you've got to think of that."
"I know, Jim. I managed to bottle my feelings nearly as well as Mistress Mary did just now. I know what she is feeling."
But I was still dignified.
"Now will you tell me," I began.
"Oh, it's a first-rate dodge! You see, if they are firmly put in they will stand that little pull, and if not it shows you ought to have wedged them in better."