130 WHEAT AND WOMAN 



" I guess I might manage half a day to oblige 

 you," she said, " but I shall have to stop coming 

 directly the weather breaks and we can get on to 

 the land ; and it looks as though it would be good 

 and early this year. But I'll come till then, seeing 

 that you are a bit lonesome and green about things. 

 And when I have to get on to the land there's 

 Pearl she's next to me. I guess she wouldn't 

 mind obliging you if you asked her." 



I inquired as tactfully as I could of terms. 



" Well, I guess the pay all round here is about 

 the same, a dollar a day." 



" You will be quite content to take half a dollar 

 for the half day ? " 



" That will suit me all right. Now I guess I 

 must be getting back to round up the cattle." 



" How many cows shall you milk to-night, Miss 

 Mazey ? " inquired my brother. 



" We have only got four milkers now, but none 

 of the youngsters seems to care about the job. 

 Ain't you milking ? Well, I guess you will have a 

 cow coming in soon ; and if you are wanting butter, 

 maybe mother would oblige you with some whilst 

 you are waiting. We don't sell except to Roland 

 Dennison. You see, the kids eat it all. Seven 

 pounds last week. Guess I shall be late getting 

 back." 



" Pll fetch your horse," volunteered my brother. 



" Now that will be real kind." 



The horse was of an order that a British M.F.H. 

 might have ridden with pride, one of the noblest- 

 looking brutes in my memory tall, proud, powerful, 

 generous, masterful, and kind. His name was Paul, 

 and, like his mistress, he followed the call of the 



