CHAPTER XII
CARPENTERS QUIT WORK
On Friday, August 30, I was obliged to go to a western city on business that would keep me from four to ten days. I turned my face away from the farm with regret. I could hardly realize that I had spent but one month in my new life, the old interests had slipped so far behind. I was reluctant to lose sight, even for a week, of the intensely interesting things that were doing at Four Oaks. Polly said she would go to Four Oaks every day, and keep so watchful an eye on the farm that it could not possibly get away.
"You're getting a little bit maudlin about that farm, Mr. Headman, and it will do you good to get away for a few days. There are some other things in life, though I admit they are few, and we are not to forget them. I am up to my ears in plans for the house and the home lot; but I can't quite see what you find so interesting in tearing down old barns and fences and turning over old sods."
"Every heart knoweth its own sorrow, Polly, and I have my troubles."
Friday evening, September 6, I returned from the west. My first greeting was,—
"How's the farm, Polly?"
"It's there, or was yesterday; I think you'll find things running smoothly."
"Have they sowed the alfalfa and cut the oats?"