308 FARMING BY INCHES ; 



in various stages of decay. All around the garden was a 

 low stone wall, decided!} 7 dilapidated, literally one stone 

 falling from another. Though the day was warm, every 

 window in the house was closed, and as we entered, it was 

 like going into a musty garret. The lady of the house, fat 

 and forty, if not fair, opened the door and ushered us into 

 the best room, crowded with uncomfortable furniture placed 

 with mathematical precision about the room, and drawing 

 up the curtain let in enough light to make things visible. 

 After the children had been quieted and sent out of the 

 room, Mrs. Kempenfielder opened matters by remarking on 

 the weather and crops. From this the conversation slid to 

 our doings on our own little farm. 



" We are very busy just now picking peas," said my hus- 

 band ; " we have so many, and as the price rules high, we 

 are in search of pickers." 



" Labor is plenty enough," replied Mrs. K. " My hus- 

 band had lots of it offered to him ; but we don't keep but two 

 men. It is as much as your life is worth to get their pay 

 out of the place, to say nothing of anything more." 



" Indeed ! I supposed you kept at least ten or twelve 

 men on such a large farm as this." 



" Ten or twelve men ! Lor, bless you, no ! Who could 

 stan' it? Two's bad enough." 



Just then, Mr. K. entered. He had procured a coat, and 



