THE FIRST VISIT TO THE FAKM 23 



vided by right lines into lots of five acres each, 

 the southwest one for the hens and the other 

 three for hogs. 



Looking around for Polly to show her my 

 work, I found she had disappeared ; but soon I 

 saw her white gown among the trees. Joining 

 her, I said, 



" I have mapped seven forties ; have you 

 finished one ? " 



"I have not," she said. "Mine is of more 

 importance than all of yours ; I will give you 

 a sketch this evening. This bit of woods is 

 better than I thought. How much of it do you 

 suppose there is ? " 



" About seven acres, I reckon, by hook and by 

 crook ; enough to amuse you and furnish a lot 

 of wild-flower seed to be floated over the rest of 

 the farm." 



" You may plant what seeds you like on the 

 rest of the farm, but I must have wild flowers. 

 Do you know how long it is since I have had 

 them ? Not since I was a girl ! " 



"That is not very long, Polly. You don't 

 look much more than a girl to-day. You shall 

 have asters and goldenrod and black-eyed Susans 

 to your heart's content if you will always be 

 as young." 



" I believe Time will turn backward for both 

 of us out here, Mr. Headman. But I'm as hun- 

 gry as a wolf. Do you think we can get a glass 

 of milk of the < farm lady ' ? " 



