AN HUNDRED FOLD 381 
for to a large extent he can control the soil and 
discount the season. No other following gives 
such opportunity for independence and _ self- 
balance.” 
«Almost thou persuadest me to become a 
farmer,” said Kate, as we left the porch, where I 
had been admiring my land while I lectured on 
the advantages of husbandry. 
Polly came out of the rose garden, where she 
had been examining her flowers and setting her 
watch, and said : — 
«“ Kate, you and the grand-girls must stay this 
month out, anyway. It seems an age since we 
saw you last.” 
« All right, if Dad will agree not to fire farm 
fancies and figures at me every time he catches 
me in an easy-chair.” 
“ll promise, but you don’t know what you’re 
missing.” 
Four Oaks looked great, and I was tempted 
to tramp over every acre of it, saying to each, 
«You are mine”; but first I had a little talk 
with Thompson. 
«“ Everything has been greased for us this sum- 
mer,” said Thompson. “We got a bumper crop 
of hay, and the oats and corn are fine! I allow 
you’ve got fifty-five bushels of oats to the acre in 
those shocks, and the corn looks like it stood for 
more than seventy. We sold nine more calves 
the end of June, for $104. Mr. Tom must have 
a lot of money for you, for in August we sold 
