24 Next to the Ground 



Patsy scrambled up and out on all fours. 

 " Snakes don't harbor this time o' day," she 

 said. " They 're like you — too hungry ! 

 Here is your breakfast ! Eat it, and be glad 

 I did n't hide your runlet. I thought about 

 it — but was 'fraid to put it in the sink-hole. 

 I did n't know but it might roll down clean to 

 the bottom." 



Joe had left his team with heads over the 

 broken ground, but while he ate and drank the 

 mules turned half about, and began to nibble 

 clover. Patsy stepped in front of them, pre- 

 tended to shake her fist at them, and said with 

 a frown at the leader : " Sally-gal, I thought 

 you had more sense ! You ought to know 

 that second-growth stuff will make you slob- 

 ber yourself 'most to death." 



" No, it won't ! Not until August ! But 

 here 's what 's a heap better," Joe said, com- 

 ing to them runlet in hand. He filled his 

 palm generously with water, and held it to 

 each mule's mouth. They drank eagerly, and 

 Beauty rubbed her nose against his sleeve, 

 making the while a little soft satisfied noise. 

 Patsy nodded approval : " You '11 make a 

 ploughboy yet," she said judicially, in her 

 father's own tone. Joe pretended to throw 

 a soft clod at her by way of answer, but as 

 she walked off, he called to her over his 

 shoulder, " Thanky, Patsy ! It 's too bad about 



