"What do you say about that, Mr. Stiles?"
"Yes, my lord, there's houses to let sometimes in the village, but they're beyond the means of a farm labourer. Mr. Wilson might just as well tell me there's houses to let in London. That's no good to me if they are not near my work, and if they're beyond the wages I earn."
"It does seem to me hard lines, Wilson," protested Stranleigh.
Wilson shrugged his shoulders.
"You cannot content these men, no matter what you do, my lord, and once you give way to them, their demands become incessant."
"They tell me some of the best cottages are rented to Londoners for the summer. Is that true?"
"Why, of course. A London man gives for a month or two three times as much as these yokels are willing to pay for a year."
"Oh, that's all very well, Wilson, but these people belong to the soil. They certainly have the first claim to the cottages. D—n the London man. Let him go somewhere else."
The delegation drew a deep and simultaneous sigh.
"If you will allow me to discuss this matter with you privately, my lord"
"Oh, it isn't important enough for that," said Stranleigh, airily. "No, indeed, Wilson, it isn't important at all. The housing accommodation for farm labourers in Muddleshire is as good as in any
