"It suits my garden down to the ground," said Polly, who hates slang.
"It was planned for the farmer, madam. If it happens to fit the rose-garden mistress, it is a detail for you to note and be thankful for, but the great things are outside the rose gardens. Look at that corn-field! A crow could hide in it anywhere."
"What have crows hiding got to do with corn, I'd like to know?"
"When I was a boy the farmers used to say, 'If it will cover a crow's back on the Fourth of July, it will make good corn,' and I am farmering with old saws when I can't find new ones."
"It's all of three weeks yet to the Fourth of July, and your corn will cover a turkey by that time."
"I hope so, but we shan't be here to see it, more's the pity, as Sir Tom would say."
"Do you know, Kate says she won't go over. She doesn't think it would pay for so short a trip. Why do you insist upon eight weeks?"
"Well, now, I like that! When did I ever insist on anything, Mrs. Williams? Not since I knew you well, did I? But be honest, Polly. Who has done the cutting down of this trip? You and the youngsters may stay as long as you please, but I will be back here September 1st unless the Normania breaks a shaft."
"I wish we could go over on a German boat. I hate the Cunarders."
"So do I, but we must land at Queenstown. We must put Sir Tom under the sod at that little castle out from Sligo. Then we can do Holland and Belgium, and have a week or ten days in London."