CHAPTER XII 
“CARPENTERS QUIT WORK 
On Friday, August 30, I was obliged to go to 
a western city on business that would keep me 
from four to ten days. I turned my face away 
from the farm with regret. I could hardly 
realize that I had spent but one month in my 
new life, the old interests had slipped so far be- 
hind. I was reluctant to lose sight, even for a 
week, of the intensely interesting things that 
were doing at Four Oaks. Polly said she would 
go to Four Oaks every day, and keep so watch- 
ful an eye on the farm that it could not pos- 
sibly get away. 
«You're getting a little bit maudlin about that 
farm, Mr. Headman, and it will do you good to 
get away for a few days. There are some other 
things in life, though I admit they are few, and 
we are not to forget them. I am up to my ears 
in plans for the house and the home lot; but I 
can’t quite see what you find so interesting in 
tearing down old barns and fences and turning 
over old sods.” 
« Every heart knoweth its own sorrow, Polly, 
and I have my troubles.” 
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