TRANSPLANTING OF EVERGREENS 261 



prank having been the final straw, and no suitable 

 woman having been found, who has volunteered to 

 tend the old man in the emergency, but Maria ! That 

 is, to the extent of taking him food and giving him 

 medicines, for though in pain he is able to sit in an 

 easy- chair. Maria certainly is capable, but so stupid 

 about The Man. However, as the farm-house is now 

 arranged as two dwellings, with the connecting door 

 opening in the back hall and usually kept locked on 

 Amos's side, she cannot possibly feel that she is putting 

 herself hi The Man's way ! 



