The ground fell rapidly away, sloping down for half a mile, so that every portion of the fields below was visible at once.

The house and gardens were situate on the hill; the farmer had only to stand on the edge to overlook half his place.
'What a splendid view!' said the officer.

The entire slope was yellow with wheat--on either hand, and in front the surface of the crop extended unbroken by hedge, tree, or apparent division.

Two reaping-machines were being driven rapidly round and round, cutting as they went; one was a self-binder and threw the sheaves off already bound; the other only laid the corn low, and it had afterwards to be gathered up and bound by hand-labour.

There was really a small army of labourers in the field; but it was so large they made but little show.
'You have a first-rate crop,' said the visitor; 'I see no weeds, or not more than usual; it is a capital crop.' 'Yes,' replied the farmer, 'it is a fine crop; but just think what it cost me to produce it, and bear in mind, too, the price I shall get for it.' He took out his pocket-book, and began to explain.
While thus occupied he looked anything but a farmer.