CHAPTER IX
VARIOUS UNDESIRED TASKS.
The addition of a cow and a calf, the two swarms of bees, the goslings and Rhode Island Red chickens increased the interest of the girls in their farm life, but it also increased Janet’s work and responsibilities. Then Natalie’s vegetables grew so well that lettuce was an every-day side dish at meals now; and soon, there would be new string beans, beet tops to cut and cook and radishes.
Meantime, Norma’s asters had recovered from their almost fatal dose of Paris Green and the heliotrope that Mrs. Tompkins had sent the amateur florist to replace the one she had killed with the poison was blooming well and wafting its sweet incense upon the breezes, to be carried everywhere about the house.
While the girls were still at breakfast, Mr. Ames drove in at the side gate. Janet sat facing the open window and was the first to see him.
“Oh, he’s got the dump cart and old Ben!” cried she.
“He must be planning to use the cart for something,” said Norma.
But a lively breeze carried an odor far different from the heliotrope blooming in Norma’s garden.
“Oo-oh! Close the door and windows—hurry up, Nat!” called Janet, holding her breath while the girls ran to close the windows.
“Ames brought the compost for the water garden,” was Mrs. James undisturbed statement.
“Of course, he had to bring it some time, but he did not have to stop with it directly under the dining room windows,” said Natalie, in an injured voice.