392 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
such money anyhow or anywhere, so personal 
expenditures must be left out of all our calcula- 
tions. No, the wage account will always be the 
large one, and I am glad it is so, for it is one 
finger of the helping hand.” 
«“ You haven’t finished with the figures yet. 
You don’t know what to add to our permanent 
investment.” 
«“That’s quickly done. ineteen thousand fwe 
hundred and ninety-fwe doliars from twenty-two 
thousand seven hundred and sixty dollars leaves 
three thousand one hundred and sixty-five dollars 
to charge to our investment. I resent the word 
‘permanent,’ which you underscored just now, 
for each year we’re going to have a surplus to 
subtract from this interest-bearing debt.” 
« Precious little surplus you’ll have for the 
next few years, with Jack and Jane getting 
married, and —”’ 
« But, Polly, you can’t charge weddings to 
the farm, any more than we can yachts and 
diamonds.” 
«TI don’t see why. A wedding is a very im- 
portant part of one’s life, and I think the farm 
ought to be made to pay for it.” 
“JT quite agree with you; but we must add 
$3165 to the old farm debt, and take up our 
increased burden with such courage as we may. 
In round figures it is $106,000. Does that frighten 
you, Polly ?” 
«A little, perhaps; but I guess we can manage 
