CHAPTER XII 



CARPENTERS QUIT WORK 



ON Friday, August 30, I was obliged to go to 

 a western city on business that would keep me 

 from four to ten days. I turned my face away 

 from the farm with regret. I could hardly 

 realize that I had spent but one month in my 

 new life, the old interests had slipped so far be- 

 hind. I was reluctant to lose sight, even for a 

 week, of the intensely interesting things that 

 were doing at Four Oaks. Polly said she would 

 go to Four Oaks every day, and keep so watch- 

 ful an eye on the farm that it could not pos- 

 sibly get away. 



" You're getting a little bit maudlin about that 

 farm, Mr. Headman, and it will do you good to 

 get away for a few days. There are some other 

 things in life, though I admit they are few, and 

 we are not to forget them. I am up to my ears 

 in plans for the house and the home lot ; but I 

 can't quite see what you find so interesting in 

 tearing down old barns and fences and turning 

 over old sods." 



" Every heart knoweth its own sorrow, Polly, 

 arid T . have my troubles." 



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