Instantly four girls closed in about her and each one had a loving and sympathetic word of encouragement to say to her. In a few moments, Natalie dried her eyes and tried to smile.
“Janet will think it is wonderful, because she always did like a farm,” said she. “But the only choice in life now given me, is to move away to an outlandish farm up State, and leave all my friends and favorite pastimes behind. When I think of having to live all my days on a barren bit of land, I wish I were dead!”
Janet tried to change the subject. “What did Miss Mason say when you told her you would not complete the year here?”
“Oh, you know what a faddist she is over that Girl Scout organization! Well, she talked to me of nothing but my splendid opportunities of opening a Country Camp on the farm and renting out the woodland to girls who would be glad to use it.”
“But, Natalie, is it your own farm?” asked Janet and Norma.
“Why, of course! Didn’t I tell you about it?” cried the girl impatiently.
“No, we thought it was someone else’s farm—Mrs. James’, or Mr. Marvin’s, perhaps,” explained Belle, gently.
“It used to be my great-grandmother’s place. Mother was born there, but raised in the city. When grandmother died, Aunt stayed on there until she, too, died. Then it descended to mother, who leased it to a man for ten years. I have never even seen the horrid place, but I know it is a mile from anywhere on the map. Mr. Marvin says it is fine, and he wants me to go and live there.”
“It sounds all right, Nat, if the house is habitable,” remarked Janet, the practical girl of the group.
“I told Mr. Marvin to sell it for me, but he says I would be foolish to do that. He says I can live on it for some years and then sell it when I grow up and get more for it than if I sold it in its present condition. He says I could spend my summers there and try to grow strong and happy again, and in a few years he could ask a far better price for the property than would be advisable now. I reminded him of all the families who wanted homes, but he said the cost of building was so high that few sensible investors would consider buying an old house that needed remodelling. So there I am!”