316 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



for nothing, I think we ought to add it. Adding 

 $4000 will make the returns from the farm 

 $15,118, leaving 118,276 to add to the interest- 

 bearing debt. Last year this debt was $84,404. 

 Add this year's deficit, and we have $102,680. 

 A good deal of money, Polly, but I showed you 

 well over $100,000 in assets, at our own price, 

 to be sure, but not far wrong." 



" Will you ever have to increase the debt ? " 



" I think not. I believe we shall reduce it a 

 little next year, and each year thereafter. But, 

 supposing it only pays expenses, how can you 

 put on as much style on the interest of $100,000 

 anywhere else as you can here ? It can't be 

 done. When the fruit comes in and this factory 

 is running full time, it will earn well on toward 

 $25,000 a year, and it will not cost over $14,000 to 

 run it, interest and all. It won't take long at that 

 rate to wipe out the interest-bearing debt. You'll 

 be rich, Polly, before you're ten years older." 



" You are rich now, in imagination and expec- 

 tation, Mr. Headman, but I'll bank with you 

 for a while longer. But what's the use of charg- 

 ing the farm with interest when you credit it 

 with our keeping ? " 



" There isn't much reason in that, Polly. It's 

 about as broad as it is long. I simply like to 

 keep books in that way. We charge the farm 

 with a little more than $4000 interest, and we 

 credit it with just $4000 for our food and shelter. 

 We'll keep on in this way because I like it." 



