"Oh, it's just that swale to the right of the driveway," said Rufus. "It's low ground, and I s'pose the wild flowers do like it. I hope the cows haven't taken them all. You needn't be afraid o' the cows."
"No, I'm not," replied Geraldine. "Perhaps I'll go some time."
"Go to-day, go while the goin's good," urged Rufus. "Never can tell when the rain will keep you in. You shall have a flower garden, Geraldine. You tell me where you'd like it and I'll have the ground got ready right off."
"Thank you," she answered, "but I like the wild flowers best."
As soon as the dishes were dried, Geraldine went up to her room and delved into her little trunk. She brought out a white cotton dress. It had not been worn since the summer before, and though clean it was badly wrinkled. She took it down to the kitchen and ironed it.
"Goin' to put on a white dress?" asked Mrs. Carder. "Kind o' cool for that, ain't it?"
"I don't think so. I have very few dresses, and I get tired of wearing the same one."
Mrs. Carder sighed. "Rufus will buy you all the dresses you want if you'll only get strong. I can see he's dreadful worried because you look pale."
"Well, I am going to try to become sunburned to-day. I'm so glad you thought of the meadow, Mrs. Carder. Perhaps you like flowers, too."
The old woman sighed. "I used to. I've 'most forgot what they look like."