98 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
away, so that you cannot spend it for pigs and 
foolish farm things.” 
«“T’ll do it within ten days, Polly; and I won’t 
meddle in your affairs if you will agree to keep 
within the limit.” 
“It’s a bargain,” said Polly, “and the house 
will be much more livable than this one. What 
do you think we could sell this one for?” 
« About $33,000 or $34,000, I think.” 
« And will you sell it?” 
«“ Of course, if you don’t object.” 
“Sell, to be sure; it would be foolish to heey 
it, for we'll be country folk in a year.” 
«“] have a theory,” said I, «that when we live 
on the farm we ought to credit the farm with 
what it costs us for food and shelter here, — pro- 
viding, of course, that the farm feeds and shelters 
us as well.” 
“Tt will do it a great deal better. We will 
have a better house, better food, more company, 
more leisure, more life,and more everything that 
counts, than we ever had before.” 
“We'll fix the value of those things when 
we’ve had experience,” said I. «Now let’s get 
at the figures. I tell you plainly that I don’t 
know what they foot up,—less than $40,000, I 
hope.” 
“Don’t let’s worry about them, no matter 
what they say.” 
This from prudent, provident Polly! 
“Certainly not,” said I, as bold as a lion. 
