"
"But will not growing corn require plow and horses?" said Edward.
"No; we will try it by hand: two of us can dig a great deal at odd
times, and we shall have a better crop with the spade than with the
plow. We have now so much manure that we can afford it."
"Well, if it is to be done, it should be done at once, Humphrey,
before the people from the other side of the forest come and find us
out, or they will dispute our right to the inclosure."
"The forest belongs to the king, brother, and not to the Parliament;
and we are the king's liege men, and only look to him for permission,"
replied Humphrey; "but what you say is true: the sooner it is done the
better, and I will about it at once."
"How much do you propose fencing in?"
"About two or three acres."
"But that is more than you can dig this year or the next."
"I know that; but I will manure it without digging, and the grass will
grow so rich to what it will outside of the inclosure. that they will
suppose it has been inclosed a long while."
"That's not a bad idea, Humphrey; but I advise you to look well after
that boy, for he is of a bad race, and has not been brought up, I am
afraid, with too strict notions of honesty. Be careful, and tell your
sisters also to be cautious not to let him suppose that we have any
money in the old chest, till we find out whether he is to be trusted
or not.
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