“Mrs. Tompkins told me to place inverted flower-pots over all the young plants during the middle of the day, until they began to perk up their heads. That would show they had taken new root in the soil to which they had been transplanted. But the rose-bush and lily I must plant in a sheltered spot and shade them with a screen for a week or more. They would always freshen up at night but would droop during the day unless I did this,” explained Norma.
“I wonder how long it will be before those little things have flowers?” said Belle.
“Mrs. Tompkins told me that they would bud in two weeks at least. I mean, the portulaca and heliotrope and other old-fashioned plants she dug up for me. You see, they were already started in her garden, and this transplanting will only set them back a few days, she said.”
“Then you can begin to figure on an income in a month’s time, at the very latest,” teased Belle.
Norma made no reply to this laughing remark, but she was determined to show Belle that perseverance and persistence were great things that made for success.
It was past nine when the girls reached Green Hill Farm. As they entered the side gate they heard strange sounds coming from the barnyard. Everyone glanced at Janet to inquire the cause of the sounds.
“It sounds just like those piggies. What can they be squealing for at this hour?” said Mrs. James.
Janet looked guilty, but she said nothing. However, as soon as they reached the side piazza, she hurried on past the kitchen door and made for the barn.
Rachel heard the arrival and came out on the piazza. “Mis’ James, dem pigs ain’t kep’ still all night. I guv ’em some hot mush at six o’clock ’cause Janet fergot to feed ’em. But I ain’t goin’ to be no nuss-gal to any porkers when I’se got my house-wuk to look affer. Ef I wuz goin’ to raise hogs, I’d raise ’em, but I ain’t goin’ to do it fer no one else, nohow.”
Everyone laughed appreciatively, and Mrs. James added: “Janet told us she had forgotten the chickens to-night. But I told her there was no use in her returning home, then, as fowl went to roost with the sun, and would not want to be bothered again. I was not aware the pigs had been forgotten, too.”