CHAPTER LXIII 
AN HUNDRED FOLD 
Kate declared that she had had the time of 
her life during her nine weeks’ stay at Four 
Oaks. “People here every day, and the house 
full over Sunday. We’ve kept the place hum- 
ming,” said she, “and you may be thankful if 
you find anything here but a mortgage. When 
Tom and I get rich, we are going to be farm 
people.” 
“Don’t wait for that, daughter. Start your 
country home early and let it grow up with the 
children. It doesn’t take much money to buy . 
the land and to get fruit trees started. If Tom 
will give it his care for three hours a week, he 
will make it at least pay interest and taxes, and 
it will grow in value every year until you are 
ready to live on it. Think how our orchards 
would look now if we had started them ten 
years ago! They would be fit to support an 
average family.” 
«“ There, Dad, don’t mount your hobby as soon 
as ever you get home. But we have had a good 
time out here. Do you really think farming is 
all beer and skittles ?” 
378 
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