JUNE RAINS— HAYING— HARVEST 205 



three months of appalling discomfort on the top- 

 note of health without any other than slough water, 

 I had developed an unconcern as to colour, flavour, 

 and convenience, which seemed to arouse nothing 

 I less than exasperation in the mind of others in any 

 special time of stress. My well is quite the best 

 in my neighbourhood from the greatest number of 

 points of consideration. If it sometimes is over- 

 full, it is never empty. All through the winter, 

 when many of my neighbours were melting ice and 

 snow to supply their stock, I had enough and to 

 spare of pure and sparkling quality. But before the 

 spring flood dries out of the slough the well is a 

 little difficult of access. The usual method of 

 bringing the water to the house is by means of a 

 barrel set on a stone-boat drawn by a horse to a 

 point as near the kitchen entrance as possible. I 

 used Dick and Nancy on these excursions, and never 

 had the smallest difficulty with Dick. Occasionally 

 Nancy wandered off into the slough with the 

 barrel whilst I was occupied with the pail and 

 the well, and now and then she objected to the 

 weight of the load, but she could always be coaxed 

 home. 



On the occasion of which I write the colour and 

 quality of the water were excellent, but the well 

 still a little difficult of access. The water had only 

 just dried out of the slough ; the pathway across 

 was beset with pitfalls for the uninitiated, and even 

 under the best of conditions it is wisdom to haul 

 the water barrel in patience and good temper. 



Suddenly through the pleasant Sabbath atmo- 

 sphere shot the fierce breath of wrath, reproach, 

 regret, recrimination, curses ! My brother came 



