Tony had made a set of forms for these posts, which were to be cast in place, though the other posts had all been pre-cast at the sand pit and were set up in the holes as they were dug. The old rail fence had been moved back and the fence row thoroughly grubbed out before the wire fence was strung. When the wire was finally put in place and the old rails hauled away, it gave a very neat appearance to the entrance of the farm.
Between this fence and the new ditch, and lying between the two entrances to the farm, was a field of about seven acres which they decided to plant in potatoes, as this field was the most fertile of all on the farm.
"What will we do with the little corner down by the pond, Bob?" asked his uncle that evening as they sat around the table for their daily conference.
"I've a suggestion to make for that," said his wife.
"Well, what is it, now?" asked her husband smiling.
"Build a little cottage there for Tony and Maria. When we get through with our concrete work, Tony can then make fence posts, apiaries and other standard concrete sections at the pit and we can sell them; besides, he can keep account of all the sand and gravel that is taken away, and, of course, if he lives there, he'll always be on hand when we need him. You remember what John White said about other farmers putting up concrete buildings, and that each time they erected one we could sell them the materials. It will make Tony and Maria happy, and keep them where their services will be most available."
"That's a good idea, Bettie," said her husband. "How much would such a house cost?"
"I don't know, but I think we ought to make them comfortable in a house that would cost not much over $1000 to $1500. It should be of the bungalow type and will help to give our farm a very artistic look."
"What were you and Maria doing down around the pond the other day?" asked her husband, suddenly remembering that he saw them there.
"Oh, we were planting slips for willow trees. When they grow up, if we trim them, it will enhance the appearance very much."