290 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
on. I want you to tell me, before Kyrle here, 
why you gave me that bull two years ago.” 
« What’s the matter with the bull, Jackson ? 
Isn’t he all right ?” 
«Sure he’s all right, and as fine as silk; but 
why did you give him to me? Why didn’t you 
keep him for yourself?” 
« Well, Bill, I thought you would like him, and 
we were neighbors, and —” 
«You thought I would save you the trouble 
of keeping him, didn’t you?” 
«“ Well, perhaps that did have some influence. 
You see, this is a factory farm from fence to 
fence, except this forty which Polly bosses, 
and the utilitarian idea is on top. Keeping the 
bull didn’t exactly run with my notion of econ- 
omy, especially when I could conveniently have 
him kept so near, and at the same time be gen- 
erous to a neighbor.” 
« That’s it, and it’s taken me two years to find 
it out. You’re trying to follow that idea all 
along the line. You’re dead right, and I’m going 
to tag on, if you don’t mind. I was glad enough 
for your present at the time, and I’m glad yet; 
but ve learned my lesson, and you may bet your 
dear life that no man will ever again givemea bull.” 
« That’s right, Jackson. Now you have struck 
the key-note; stick to it, and you will make 
money twice as fast as you have done. Havea 
mark, and keep your eye on it, and your plough 
will turn a straight furrow.” 
