“But I don’t see how you can ever become rich.”
Young Birch answers, “To become rich in these days is to usually become a gigantic swindler or pirate. I don’t care to be either. I want to be a self-respecting man and expect to be honored as a man of the best class, not necessarily rich. I do intend to be a man of means and prosperous. This society protects the people of small means and those who have talent. But here is my wife, you know her.”
Yes, he knew her for she had been the one in all the world to him, only two years before, but young Birch had been preferred to him; he had never known why. Most girls are foolish, he had thought, and now he knew it.
The whole party filled the boats and were enjoying the fun, singing and telling funny stories; in one boat, some were making love and the others having a good time watching them. Then one boat would get away from the others and some would start singing, another would answer, and all the boats would take it up until it was time to start for the shore. When they returned to the tents the city friends were deeply interested in the supper when they learned it had been cooked by college men.
“You see we have our meals here,” Tom explained, “and the one dining room answers for all. Mr. and Mrs. Birch have charge of this building and they attend to all the tables and cooking.”
Mrs. Birch remarked, “Yes, we even did the work until there were enough to cook for to enable us to pay for having it done, and I am proud of my accomplishments in that line, I can assure you.”
“You may be sure we all appreciate your talent not only in that line, but in many others besides,” said Tom gallantly.
Mr. Birch had ordered the supper to be ready and all sat down to do justice to the luscious strawberries and good rich cream, hot biscuits and other delicacies of the farm. Then all the city guests said “good night” and went back, spinning along in their automobiles and enjoying the cool air while they talked over the possibilities of the Colony and their interest in it.
CHAPTER VIII.
There is nothing that gives a better opportunity for friendship than for people to be thrown together in some interesting work or undertaking.