CHAPTER LXII1 



AN HUNDRED FOLD 



KATE declared that she had had the time of 

 her life during her nine weeks' stay at Four 

 Oaks. " People here every day, and the house 

 full over Sunday. We've kept the place hum- 

 ming," said she, "and you may be thankful if 

 you find anything here but a mortgage. When 

 Tom and I get rich, we are going to be farm 

 people." 



"Don't wait for that, daughter. Start your 

 country home early and let it grow up with the 

 children. It doesn't take much money to buy 

 the land and to get fruit trees started. If Tom 

 will give it his care for three hours a week, he 

 will make it at least pay interest and taxes, and 

 it will grow in value every year until you are 

 ready to live on it. Think how our orchards 

 would look now if we had started them ten 

 years ago ! They would be fit to support an 

 average family." 



" There, Dad, don't mount your hobby as soon 

 as ever you get home. But we have had a good 

 time out here. Do you really think farming is 

 all beer and skittles ? " 



378 



