'That is true.'
'Now, what you want with turnips is a good shower after the seed has been sown, and warmth to precipitate the growth at the critical period. At least, so I have been informed.'
'It is so, Parson.'
'In wet weather the fly does not appear, or the plant grows with sufficient rapidity to outstrip the ravages of the fly.'
'To be sure, you are quite right, sir.'
This fact of the turnip-fly was one of the few scraps of agricultural information Parson Robbins had picked up, and he retailed it at tithe, club, and feoffee dinners.
Then the landlord appeared at the inn door, and announced, 'All ready, gentlemen! sorry you have been kept waiting!'
At the moment that Nanspian and the parson entered, Langford arrived and went after them, without seeing the former, down the passage to the long room. The passage was narrow, tortuous, and dark. 'Wait a bit, gentlemen,' said the host, 'one at a time through the door; his Reverence won't say grace till all are seated.'
'Here is a place, Master Langford,' said Piper, 'on the right hand of the parson, with your back to the window. Go round his chair to get at it.'
Taverner took the place indicated. Then the Rector rapped on the table, and all rose for grace.