THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 127 



winter's coal is to be bought. Every other bill paid save 

 that, and no money on hand. Now the part of wisdom 

 is plain. Hedge our expenses, and live in a smaller house, 

 or in less style." 



At this statement a dreadful silence fell upon the com- 

 pany, only to be broken by the entrance of Helen, their one 

 servant, to announce supper. Gathered "round their simple 

 board they ate their tea and toast in silence and bitterness. 

 At the end of the meal a full dish of ripe strawberries was 

 brought on. At sight of this their spirits revived, and the 

 lively Kate began again with her perpetual talk. 



' ' And the strawberries, too ! To think that we shall 

 lose them all ! I shall eat a double share till we move 

 away. Don't know when we shall ever have any more. 

 We are so dreadfully poor." 



Spoonfuls of berries and cream served to point this re- 

 mark. 



-"The berries are the very things that trouble us, 

 Kate," said her father. " The expense of keeping up our 

 garden is the one straw that breaks our particular camel's 

 back. The plants and the labor expended upon them cost 

 last year more than enough to make us whole. Another 

 place, having either more ground, so that we could sell a 

 part of the produce, or less ground, to save all expense, 

 would help us. As it is, the cost of our grounds is too 

 great for us to maintain our present position in society." 



The meditative Johnny, coming out strong on the side 



