98 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



away, so that you cannot spend it for pigs and 

 foolish farm things." 



" I'll do it within ten days, Polly ; and I won't 

 meddle in your affairs if you will agree to keep 

 wHhin the limit." 



" It's a bargain," said Polly, " and the house 

 will be much more livable than this one. What 

 do you think we could sell this one for ? " 



About $33,000 or $34,000, I think." 



" And will you sell it ? " 



" Of course, if you don't object." 



" Sell, to be sure ; it would be foolish to keep 

 it, for we'll be country folk in a year." 



" I have a theory," said I, " that when we live 

 on the farm we ought to credit the farm with 

 what it costs us for food and shelter here, pro- 

 viding, of course, that the farm feeds and shelters 

 us as well." 



" It will do it a great deal better. We will 

 have a better house, better food, more company, 

 more leisure, more life, and more everything that 

 counts, than we ever had before." 



" We'll fix the value of those things when 

 we've had experience," said I. " Now let's get 

 at the figures. I tell you plainly that I don't 

 know what they foot up, less than $40,000, I 

 hope." 



"Don't let's worry about them, no matter 

 what they say." 



This from prudent, provident Polly ! 



"Certainly not," said I, as bold as a lion. 



