168 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



sight looks as if it were fast asleep. Mr. Barker's is, at 

 any rate, for it has shut its eyes." 



"Nonsense, Kate! There must be somebody about." 



" Perhaps so ; but the house is asleep. Don't you see 

 all the blinds are shut? I'm almost afraid to ring the bell, 

 for fear it would gape and open its eyes suddenly." 



Timidly walking up the broad, smooth drive, they ap- 

 proached the house and looked about them. Just beyond 

 the house stood a neat barn and shed. Everything was 

 clean, prim, and sober. The lawns on either side were 

 smooth, and even the wide-spreading strawberry beds that 

 crowned the hill, were as straight and regular as if prepared 

 for the most precise private grounds, JSo appearance of 

 business or farm life was to be seen. All was finished and 

 elegant. 



"We ought to have wiped our feet on a mat before we 

 entered the drive-way," said Kate. " The road "is as nice 

 as a kitchen floor, and the grass is like a parlor carpet. 

 But, dear me, how sleepy it is ! Now I suppose we must 

 ring, whatever happens." 



Johnny was on the point of ringing the bell, when they 

 saw a man leisurely walking over the grass towards them. 



"Mr. Harker," said Kate. "Don't ring, Johnny." 

 The man saw and advanced towards them : a stout, well- 

 built person, with a sun-bronzed face that at once indicated 

 strength and brains. a gentleman and a farmer. Higher 



