His host had accumulated wealth in the 'City,' and naturally considered himself an authority on country matters.

Master Phillip's 'governor' was likewise in a large way of business, and possessed of wealth, and thought it the correct thing for one of his sons to 'go in' for agriculture--a highly genteel occupation, if rightly followed, with capital and intelligence.

Phillip liked to ride his bicycle in the cool of the evening, and was supposed in these excursions to be taking a survey of the soil and the crops, and to be comparing the style of agriculture in the district to that to which he had been trained while pursuing his studies.

He slipped past the wayside inn; he glided by the cottages and gardens at the outskirts of the village; and then, leaving the more thickly inhabited part on one side, went by a rickyard.

Men were busy in the yard putting up the last load of the evening, and the farmer in his shirt-sleeves was working among and directing the rest.