10 MY TEN-ROD FARM; 



and I wish you to do me the favor of selling some of 

 yours.' 7 



" Sell my flowers ! No, indeed ! I will give you all 

 you wish." 



" No, I cannot take them so ; I wish to buy them." 



" What, sell my husband's flowers ? Oh, no ! " 



"Now, Mrs. Oilman, please listen a moment. Flowers 

 are a merchantable article. You have them, and I wish to 

 purchase. I am sure your husband would not object, were 

 he alive." 



Then I thought of my poverty, of my search for work, 

 and of the children. That decided me. 



" Yes," I said at last, " I will sell you some, but I know 

 nothing of their value." 



"But I do. I buy them often, and will give you just 

 what others charge me." 



Without more words, she took out a pair of scissors and 

 began snipping off the flowers. At first, I could not bear 

 to see her do it, and walked apart by myself. After a while, 

 I thought better of it. and even helped her fill her basket. 

 When it was full, she turned to me with a smile, and 

 said : 



" I am greatly obliged to you, Mrs. Oilman. These are 

 just what I wanted." And, handing me a bill, she went 

 away. 



Re-entering the house, I drew down the curtains, to shut 

 out the sight and sound of the, happy people in the village 



