CHAPTER XXXV 



WE CLOSE THE BOOKS FOR '96 



THE morning after Christmas broke clear, with 

 a wind from the south that promised to make 

 quick work of the snow. The young people 

 were engaged for the evening, as indeed for most 

 evenings, in the hospitable village, and they 

 spent the day on the farm as pleased them best. 



There were many things to interest city-bred 

 folk on a place like Four Oaks. Everything was 

 new to them, and they wanted to see the work- 

 ings of the factory farm in all its detail. They 

 made friends with the men who had charge of 

 the stock, and spent much time in the stables. 

 Polly and I saw them occasionally, but they did 

 not need much attention from us. We have 

 never found it necessary to entertain our friends 

 on the farm. They seem to do that for them- 

 selves. We simply live our lives with them, and 

 they live theirs with us. This works well both 

 for the guests and for the hosts. 



The great event of the holiday week was a 

 New Year Eve dance at the Country Club. 

 Every member was expected to appear in person 

 or by proxy, as this was the greatest of many 

 functions of the year. 



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