AN HUNDRED FOLD 381 



for to a large extent he can control the soil and 

 discount the season. No other following gives 

 such opportunity for independence and self- 

 balance." 



" Almost thou persuadest me to become a 

 farmer," said Kate, as we left the porch, where I 

 had been admiring my land while I lectured on 

 the advantages of husbandry. 



Polly came out of the rose garden, where she 

 had been examining her flowers and setting her 

 watch, and said : 



" Kate, you and the grand-girls must stay this 

 month out, anyway. It seems an age since we 

 saw you last." 



" All right, if Dad will agree not to fire farm 

 fancies and figures at me every time he catches 

 me in an easy-chair." 



" I'll promise, but you don't know what you're 

 missing." 



Four Oaks looked great, and I was tempted 

 to tramp over every acre of it, saying to each, 

 " You are mine " ; but first I had a little talk 

 with Thompson. 



" Everything has been greased for us this sum- 

 mer," said Thompson. " We got a bumper crop 

 of hay, and the oats and corn are fine ! I allow 

 you've got fifty-five bushels of oats to the acre in 

 those shocks, and the corn looks like it stood for 

 more than seventy. We sold nine more calves 

 the end of June, for $104. Mr. Tom must have 

 a lot of money for you, for in August we sold 



