OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



CHAPTER I 



AFTER TEN YEARS 



WELL I remember the voice of the scoffers who 

 said: "Let be. What is this babble about 

 a country life? A novel toy, a passing fad 

 whose glamour will soon fade. How old a possession 

 is it, this country home of our friends?" 



And the enthusiasts answered meekly: "It is true 

 that only five years ago we began this new existence, but 

 we feel that it will be our life work." 



The scoffers smiled pityingly at such sublime if mis- 

 taken confidence : "Have we not heard these tales from 

 the beginning? So it is with every new thing. It 

 never lasts ; neither will this one." 



With a triumphant air the enthusiasts now face the 

 scoffers. After ten years their joy in this glorious task 



is greater, their plans for the future increasing each 

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