CHAPTER XI 



OUR FAVORITE JAUNTS 



WE live in a beautiful section of the country, 

 in the midst of undulating hills around 

 whose bases flow gentle rivulets forming 

 pools and lakes of various shapes and sizes. The roads 

 are fair whenever the rain keeps away, and many are 

 the interesting excursions within a radius of sixty miles. 

 It is difficult to persuade the Constant Improver to 

 leave his small estate for a mere ride, but if the object 

 is a worthy one his enthusiasm rises. The latter part 

 of July or the first of August, according to the season, 

 we always look forward to a particular day, the Fete 

 of the Lotus. In the motor it takes us a little over an 

 hour through a charming landscape. Passing four or 

 five hamlets, by comfortable, well-kept farmhouses 

 with their fields of corn and alfalfa, crossing great 

 swamps in flower where redwings and bobolinks gather, 

 climbing through forests of hardwood with ravishing 



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