"You didn't ought to say that, did he, Miss Winter?" asked Avis; then she explained John Henry's view to Amelia.
"Let hell alone," answered the old woman. "Remember there is such a place and just keep it at the back of your mind—same as we always keep a kitchen at the back of the house. Heaven's your eternal home well hope. Be you going to the revel?"
"All of us but father," said Avis. "He won't go, but mother's taking us."
"You'll have a nice swing in the 'roundabouts' I expect."
"I shan't," said John Henry. "I'm going to learn about the cattle; so's Robert Elvin from Owley. He's older than me, but he don't know a bit more about farming than what I do, though he's been at it near two year."
"Don't you puff yourself up, John Henry," warned Amelia. "You hear my nephew, Mr. Winter. He's been a farmer for five and twenty years, and yet he'll tell you there's always more and more to learn."
"That's one for you, John Henry," said Avis.
The boy considered what to reply. He suffered reproof from men, but hated it from women.
"I only said that Bob Elvin didn't know more than me. I didn't puff myself up," he answered, "and if I've still got a lot to know when I'm so old as Mr. Winter, then I shan't be much of a farmer."
"Time and human wisdom don't stand still," explained Amelia. "There's always a lot left to know about everything, because larning increases and new-fangled things are always coming to the top. I dare say pigs will fly some day. If you ever catch yourself thinking you know all there is to farming, John Henry, then you'll do very well to be frightened, for that'll mean you're going to get left."