Occupying his far too tolerant ear was another client, whose need was a country house surrounded by enough grass-land for a small stud farm.

This is what happened (he had, by the way, the only chair at that desk):—­

Our Mr. Plausible (for the fortieth time). I understand perfectly.  A nice house, out-buildings and about twenty acres of meadow.

Client.  Twenty to thirty.

Our Mr. P.  Yes, or thirty.

C.  You see, what I want is to breed stock—­cattle and horses too.

Our Mr. P.  Exactly.  Well, the three places I have given you are all well-adapted.

C.  When a man gets to my age and has put a little money by he may just as well take it quietly as not.  I don’t want a real farm; I want just a smallish place where I can play at raising pedigree animals.

Our Mr. P.  That’s just the kind of place I’ve given you.  The one near Newbury is probably the most suitable.  I should see that first, and then the one near Alton.

C.  You understand, I don’t want a big farm.  Anybody else can have the arable.  Just a comfortable house and some meadows; about twenty acres or even thirty.

Our Mr. P.  The biggest one I’ve given you is thirty.  The place near Newbury is twenty-three.

C.  Well, I’11 go and see them as soon as I can. [Gets up.

Our Mr. P.  The sooner the better, I should advise.  There’s a great demand for country-houses just now.

C.(sitting solidly down again). Ah, yes, but this is different.  What I want is not so much a country-house in the ordinary meaning of the term as a farm-house, but without possessing a farm.  Just enough buildings and meadow-land to breed a few shorthorns and a yearling or two.  The house must be comfortable, you know, roomy, but not anything pretentious. [Gets up again.

Our Mr.P. I quite understand.  That’s just what I’ve given you.

C. (again seating himself). The whole scheme may be foolishness.  My wife says it is.  But (here I believe I groaned audibly; at any rate all the other clerks looked up) there it is.  When a man has enough to retire on and pay the piper he’s entitled to call the tune; isn’t he?

[At this point I resist the temptation to take him by the shoulders and push him out.

Our Mr. P.  Quite, quite.  Well, Sir, if you take my advice you’11 go to Newbury as quickly as you can.  It’s a first-rate place—­most highly recommended.

[Here the client very deliberately puts the three “orders to view” in his inside pocket and slowly buttons his coat.  I flutter on tiptoe, eager for his chair.

C.  If these won’t do you’11 find me some more?

Our Mr. P.  With pleasure.

C.  Very well; good morning.

[Moves away.  I have just begun to speak when he returns.