"That's encouraging, I'm sure," said Mrs. Hopkins, drily.
There was no pie on the table, as Sam noticed, to his regret. However, he was pretty full when he rose from the table.
"Now, Samuel, you may come along with me," said the deacon, putting on his hat.
Sam followed him out to the barn, where, in one corner, were kept the hoes, rakes, and other farming implements in use.
"Here's a hoe for you," said the deacon.
"What are we going to do?" asked Sam.
"The potatoes need hoeing. Did you ever hoe potatoes?"
"No."
"You'll l'arn. It aint hard."
The field was some, little distance from the house,—a two-acre lot wholly devoted to potatoes.