So we put on chalk to hold water, and keep the ground moist.
But how can these lumps of chalk hold water?
They are not made like cups.
No: but they are made like sponges, which serves our turn better still.
Just take up that lump, young squire, and you'll see water enough in it, or rather looking out of it, and staring you in the face.
Why! one side of the lump is all over thick ice.
So it is.

All that water was inside the chalk last night, till it froze.
And then it came squeezing out of the holes in the chalk in strings, as you may see it if you break the ice across.

Now you may judge for yourself how much water a load of chalk will hold, even on a dry summer's day.

And now, if you'll excuse me, sir, I must be off to market.
Was it all true that the farmer said?
Quite true, I believe.

He is not a scientific man--that is, he does not know the chemical causes of all these things; but his knowledge is sound and useful, because it comes from long experience.