392 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



such money anyhow or anywhere, so personal 

 expenditures must be left out of all our calcula- 

 tions. No, the wage account will always be the 

 large one, and I am glad it is so, for it is one 

 finger of the helping hand." 



" You haven't finished with the figures yet. 

 You don't know what to add to our permanent 

 investment." 



" That's quickly done. Nineteen thousand five 

 hundred and ninety-five dollars from twenty-two 

 thousand seven hundred and sixty dollars leaves 

 three thousand one hundred and sixty-five dollars 

 to charge to our investment. I resent the word 

 < permanent,' which you underscored just now, 

 for each year we're going to have a surplus to 

 subtract from this interest-bearing debt." 



" Precious little surplus you'll have for the 

 next few years, with Jack and Jane getting 

 married, and " 



" But, Polly, you can't charge weddings to 

 the farm, any more than we can yachts and 

 diamonds." 



" I don't see why. A wedding is a very im- 

 portant part of one's life, and I think the farm 

 ought to be made to pay for it." 



" I quite agree with you ; but we must add 

 13165 to the old farm debt, and take up our 

 increased burden with such courage as we may. 

 In round figures it is 1106,000. Does that frighten 

 you, Polly ? " 



" A little, perhaps ; but I guess we can manage 



