“Good gracious! You really do not mean that!” exclaimed the girls in chorus.
“I may as well, what’s the use of staying here and not succeeding in anything.”
“But Janet, you are just beginning to raise your stock,” argued Mrs. James.
“I’m not raising anything but trouble, so far as I can see,” sighed Janet.
“If you think you are having such a time of it, what do you think about poor me! But I haven’t said I would sell out,” was Natalie’s comment.
“Nat is coming right up as Independent Individual, isn’t she,” laughed Belle.
“Yes and Jan is falling behind to the rear. If she isn’t careful she’ll have to resign her place in favor of Natalie, as ring-leader of us girls,” added Frances. These remarks were made to enthuse Janet with a little more spirit to resist circumstances.
“It would really be a pity for Janet to leave us now just when Susy is about to join us,” ventured Mrs. James, wisely.
“Oh, to-morrow is Saturday, isn’t it?” exclaimed the girls, and Janet smiled at the thought of the calf. Thereafter no one heard further that Janet wished to dispose of her business interests.
Early Saturday morning the scouts from the house were hanging onto the gate or over the picket fence, watching for the farmer who was to bring the cow and Susy. Mrs. James finally came down the steps of the porch and crossed the lawn to join them.