e a farm," inquired Ned?

"Not quite," replied Mr Shirley, "but the farm is partly stocked
already, so it'll do. Now, I've made arrangements with the proprietor
to let you have it for the first year or two rent free. His last
tenant's lease happens to have expired six months ago, and he is anxious
to have it let immediately."

Ned opened his eyes very wide at this.

"He says," continued the old gentleman, "that if you can't manage to
make the two ends meet in the course of a year or two, he will extend
the _gratis_ lease."

Ned began to think his uncle had gone deranged. "Why, what _do_ you
mean," said he, "who is this extraordinary proprietor?"

"He's an eccentric old fellow, Ned, who lives in London--they call him
Shirley, I believe."

"Yourself, uncle!" cried Ned, starting up.

Dear reader, the conversation that followed was so abrupt, exclamatory,
interjectional, and occasionally ungrammatical, as well as absurd, that
it could not be reduced to writing. We therefore leave it to your
imagination. After a time, the uncle and nephew subsided, and again
became sane.

"But," said Ned, "I shall have to get a steward--is that what you call
him? or overseer, to manage affairs until I am able to do it myself."

"True, Ned; but I have provided one already."

"Indeed!--but I might have guessed that. What shall I have to pay him?
a good round sum, I suppose."

"No," replied Mr Shirley; "he is very moderate in his expectations. He
only expects his food and lodging, besides a little care, and attention,
and love, particularly in his old age."

"He must be a cautious fellow, to look so far forward," said Ned,
laughing. "What's his name?"

"His name--is Shirley."

"What! yourself again?"

"And why not, nephew? I've as much right to count myself fit to
superintend a farm, as you had, a year ago, to think yourself able to
manage a gold mine. Nay, I have a better right--for I was a farmer the
greater part of my life before I went to reside in London. Now, boy, as
I went to live in the Great City--which I _don't_ like--in order to give
you a good education, I expect that you'll take me to the country--which
I _do_ like--to be your overseer. I was born and bred here, Ned; this
was my father's property, and, when I am gone, it shall be yours. It is
not much to boast of. You won't be able to spend an idle life of it
here; for, although a goodly place, it must be carefully tended if you
would make it pay."