200 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
Sunday was warm and sloppy, and little could 
be done out of doors. Part of the household were 
for church, and the rest lounged until luncheon ; 
then Polly read “Sonny” until twilight, and 
Laura played strange music in the half-dark. 
The next day the men went into town to look 
about, and to lunch with some college chums. 
As they would not return until five, the ladies 
had the day to themselves. They read a little, 
slept a little, and talked much, and were glad 
when five o’clock and the men came. Tea was 
so hot and fragrant, the house so cosey, and the 
girls so pretty, that Jack said : — 
« What chumps we men were to waste the 
whole day in town!” 
« And what do you expect of men, Mr. Jack ?” 
said Jessie. 
«Yes, I know, the old story of pearls and 
swine, but there are pearls and pearls.” 
« Do you mean that there are more pearls than 
swine, Mr. Jack? For, if you do, I will take issue 
with you.” ' 
«If I am a swine, I will be an esthetic one and 
wear the pearl that comes my way,” said Jack, 
looking steadily into the eyes of the high-headed 
girl. 
« Will you have one lump or two?” 
“One,” said Jack, as he took his cup. 
The last day of the year came all too quickly 
for both young and old at Four Oaks. Polly and 
I went into hiding in the office in the afternoon 
