OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



CHAPTER I 



AFTER TEN YEARS 



WELL I remember the voice of the scoffers who 

 said: "Let be. What is this babble about 

 a country life? A novel toy, a passing fad 

 whose glamour will soon fade. How old a possession 

 is it, this country home of our friends?" 



And the enthusiasts answered meekly: "It is true 

 that only five years ago we began this new existence, but 

 we feel that it will be our life work." 



The scoffers smiled pityingly at such sublime if mis 

 taken confidence : "Have we not heard these tales from 

 the beginning? So it is with every new thing. It 

 never lasts ; neither will this one." 



With a triumphant air the enthusiasts now face the 

 scoffers. After ten years their joy in this glorious task 

 is greater, their plans for the future increasing each 



2 I 7 



