316 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
for nothing, I think we ought to add it. Adding 
$4000 will make the returns from the farm 
$15,118, leaving $18,276 to add to the interest- 
bearing debt. Last year this debt was $84,404. 
Add this year’s deficit, and we have $102,680. 
A good deal of money, Polly, but I showed you 
well over $100,000 in assets, — at our own price, 
to be sure, but not far wrong.” 
« Will you ever have to increase the debt?” 
«TI think not. I believe we shall reduce it a 
little next year, and each year thereafter. But, 
supposing it only pays expenses, how can you 
put on as much style on the interest of $100,000 
anywhere else as you can here? It can’t be 
done. When the fruit. comes in and this factory 
is running full time, it will earn well on toward 
$25,000 a year, and it will not cost over $14,000 to 
run it, interest andall. It won’t take long at that 
rate to wipe out the interest-bearing debt. You'll 
be rich, Polly, before you’re ten years older.” 
«You are rich now, in imagination and expec- 
tation, Mr. Headman, but [ll bank with you 
for a while longer. But what’s the use of charg- 
ing the farm with interest when you credit it 
with our keeping ?” 
« There isn’t much reason in that, Polly. It’s 
about as broad as it is long. I simply like to 
keep books in that way. We charge the farm 
with a little more than $4000 interest, and we 
credit it with just $4000 for our food and shelter. 
We'll keep on in this way because I like it.” 
ae 
a omer pean 
4 
