mustn't be bruised. Now go on, I can stack the tubers and listen all the same."
"Sir," said Mehalah, out of heart at her reception, "we are in great trouble and difficulty."
"I have no doubt of it; none in the world. You don't grow enough potatoes. Now look at my kidneys. They are the most prolific potatoes I know. I introduced them, and they go by my name. You may ask for them anywhere as Tyll's kidneys. Go on, I am listening."
"We owe Mrs. De Witt a matter of five and twenty pounds," began Mehalah, red with shame; "and how to pay her we do not know."
"Nor I," said, the parson. "You have tried to go on without potatoes, and you can't do it. Others have tried and failed. You should keep geese on the saltings, and fowls. Fowls ought to thrive on a sandy soil, but then you have no corn land, that makes a difference. Potatoes, however, especially my kidneys, ought to be a treasure to you. Take my advice, be good, grow potatoes. Go on, I am listening. Chuck me some more. How is the stock in the basket? Does it want replenishing? Look here, my lass, go to the coach-house and bring me some more. There is a heap in the corner; on the left; those on the right are ashtops. They go in a separate pie. You can talk as you go; I shall be here and harkening."
Mehalah went sullenly to the place where the precious roots were stored, and brought him a basketful.
"By the way," said the parson, peeping out of his mole-hill at her, "it strikes' me you ought not to be here now. Is there not a sale on your farm to-day?"
"A sale, sir!"
"A sale, to be sure, Mrs. De Witt has carried off my clerk to act as auctioneer, or he would be helping me now with my potatoes. She has been round to several of the farmers to invite them to attend and bid, and they have gone to see if they can pick up some ewes or a cow cheap."
Mehalah staggered. Was this possible?
"Go on with your story; I'm listening," continued the parson, diving back into his burrow, so that only the less honourable extremity of his vertebral column was visible. "Talk of potatoes. There's not one to come up to Tyll's
