"Yes, I go when there is any school; but it does n't commence till next December," replied Jerry.
"That's a queer idea," said Oscar; "I should like to know how long your school keeps, after it begins."
"It keeps three months," replied Jerry.
"I should like that first-rate—I wish I lived here," said Oscar; "I have to go to school all the time. But why does n't your school keep more than three months?"
"I don't know," replied Jerry; "I guess it's because folks are too stingy to pay for it. They 've been talking of having a summer school, but I don't believe it will amount to anything."
"I should hope it would n't if I lived here," said Oscar. "What capital times you must have!—no school to bother you, and no lessons to get. But I suppose you have to work some—don't you?"
"No, not much," said Jerry; "I help a little in planting and haying time, and have a few chores to do about the house,—that's all."
"Do you have many boys to play with?" inquired Oscar.
"There are boys enough," replied his cousin, "but they are scattered all over town,—that's the worst of it. There is only one fellow of my age that lives near here, and he's half a mile off."
"If you call that near, I should like to know what you call distant," said Oscar. "I 'm afraid I should be lonesome if I lived here."