OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



He had a true urban idea of correctness, and his 

 bent was so logical that it was difficult for his mother 

 to impress upon him the fact that the other side of 

 front was not necessarily back. 



Very flattering to our self-esteem is the appeal of 

 the inexperienced to our small degree of knowledge. 

 When a man has just bought a country place or 

 is thinking of taking up country life and comes to see 

 what we have done, with what keen pleasure we in- 

 form him ! We extend to him young or old, our hearty 

 greeting and share with him to the minutest detail our 

 lately acquired wisdom. We spread before him maps 

 of the place at various stages, lists of formidable 

 length, names of plants so scientific as to induce a 

 feeling of helplessness in the novice; then when we have 

 reduced him to this condition of utter bewilderment, 

 we ask gently, "Is there anything else you would like 

 to know?" If he is brave and persistent, he gathers 

 himself together, looks up and says, "Yes, I want to 

 ask questions; will you please answer them as plainly 

 and as simply as you can?" This is a hopeful sign; 



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