“We might buy an old one that gives less milk, for less money,” ventured Mrs. James.
“No,” sighed Janet, hopelessly. “It doesn’t pay to buy old stock! I’m beginning to learn that much. I used old eggs to hatch out and I lost more than a week’s valuable time by it. If I buy an old cow just because she is cheap, I shall have funeral bills to pay, and the insurance costs more on old lives.”
Mrs. James could not restrain a hearty laugh at Janet’s words, although she knew the girl was very serious over the matter.
“I guess I’ll stick to the pigs and chickens this year, and save money so I can buy a cow next year—because that’s where my fortune can be made!” declared Janet, resignedly.
Mrs. James now began to think very seriously so Janet got up and stretched herself before saying: “I think I’ll go to the barn yard and watch my pigs improve.”
She spoke sarcastically, but Mrs. James said: “I just had an idea. Will you leave that paper with me for a time? I want to look it over.”
“Certainly! Keep it forever. I will not need it again—My! one cow, more than one hundred dollars!” With this muttered expression of disgust, Janet walked away. She was passing the kitchen door when Rachel came out.
“Janet, I’se got to have one ob dem aigs back agin. I has to use one moh in my cake. Kin you git it foh me?”
“Yes, but you warned me about touching the eggs once they were under the hen. And you said it was not good to annoy the hen once she sat contentedly upon the eggs.”
“Yeh, I knows. Anyway, run to the hen house and see if mebbe dey ain’t jus’ one egg in dem nestes,” urged Rachel, anxiously.