"A living in the country," was the prompt chorus. "There is something here for a fellow to do without being nagged by a policeman," Merton added.
"Well, children, mamma and I agree with you. What's more, there wasn't much chance for me to get ahead in the city, or earn a large salary. Here, by pulling all together, there is almost a certainty of our earning more than a bare living, and of laying up something for a rainy day. The chief item of profit from our farm, however, is not down in my account-book, but we see it in your sturdier forms and in Mousie's red cheeks. More than all, we believe that you are better and healthier at heart than you were a year ago.
"Now for the New Year. Let us make the best and most of it, and ask God to help us."
And so my simple history ends in glad content and hope.