166 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



the new project. The three books each had a reader, and 

 the others discussed matters as best they might. 



After a while they came to this conclusion : Whatever 

 was to be done must be done at once. The garden was 

 already planted ; that had been done the previous season. 

 But what was to be done now ? To let it alone they knew 

 was not the thing. Those queer, straggling runners the 

 Strawberry will persist in sending out were starting, and 

 no doubt they needed attention. But how to give it ? 



"I hardly know. You must ask Farmer Gooding, or 

 go out to Mattapanset and see Mr. Harker," said Mr. 

 Wellson. 



" That would be fun," said Johnny. " Would you like 

 to go too, Kate ? School does not keep to-morrow." 



" Yes, I should. I was reading about Mr. Harker' s 

 strawberries in the ' Transcript ' the other evening. He 

 sells hundreds of boxes a day to the rich folks who drive 

 past his place, and I'd like to see how it looks." 



"And if you are bright," said Mary, " you will keep 

 your eyes open, and see how they carry things on there. 

 You may learn something useful. To tell the truth, we 

 none of us know much concerning this matter, and must 

 learn all we can by observation.' 7 



"You may trust Kate for that," said Mrs. Wellson. 

 " If there is anything to be seen she will both see and re- 

 member it." 



Kate's eyes shone, and Johnny patted her on the back, 



