“Oh dear! Then I can’t raise it for three years, can I?” said she complainingly.
“It don’t look that way,” remarked the farmer.
Mrs. James and Natalie had returned with the farm-wagon loaded with compost late in the afternoon, and Farmer Ames stopped work soon after their return to Green Hill Farm.
“I’ve gotta look after my own stock and truck now, but I’ll be back to-morrer mornin’ an’ help spread out the fertilizer so’s the ground will be ready in another day er two.”
“I don’t know what we would have done without you, Mr. Ames,” said Natalie, standing on the carriage step near the side drive.
“Well, es long es you diden have to do without me, what’s the use tryin’ to figger out what you would have done,” laughed he, as he gathered up the reins.
“That’s splendid logic, Mr. Ames,” laughed Mrs. James, pleased at his reply.
“I allus says we waste more time crossin’ bridges what never was excep’ in our imagination, than it would take to go miles round-about ’em.”
After this last original proverb, he started the horse along his way.
Directly after the evening meal, Mrs. James took her Scout manual and sat down on the piazza to study the chapter on gardening. Natalie saw what she was doing and ran in to get her book, also.