. But even if Amos had been willing to allow him to sleep
over one of his attacks, it would have been a dubious example for
Barney, and in spite of the comfort he has been I now fully realize the
limitations of so many of his race, at once witty, warm-hearted,
soothing, and impossible; it is difficult not to believe what they say,
even when you know they are lying, and this condition is equally
demoralizing both to master and man.

_August 11._ Anastasia wept behind her apron when Larry left, but Barney
assumed a cheerfulness and interest in his work that he has never shown
before. Bart says that in spite of a discrepancy of twenty-odd years he
thinks that Larry, by his fund of stories and really wonderful jig
dancing, was diverting Anastasia's thoughts, and the comfortable savings
attached, from Barney, who, though doubtless a sober man and far more
durable in many ways, is much less interesting an object for the daily
contemplation of an emotional Irishwoman.

While Bart was in town yesterday seeing Larry started on his journey,
Maria and I, with the Infant tucked between in the buggy, went for an
outing under the gentle guidance of Romeo, who through constant practice
has become the most expert standing horse in the county. I'm only afraid
that his owners on their return may not appreciate this accomplishment.
Being on what Maria calls "a hunt for antiques," we drove in the
direction of Newham village, which you know is away from railroads and
has any number of old-time farms. We were not looking for
spinning-wheels and andirons, but old-fashioned roses and peonies,
especially the early double deep crimson variety that looks like a great
Jack rose. We located a number of these in June and promised to return
for our plunder in due season. Last year I bought some peony roots in
August, and they throve so well, blooming this spring, that I think it
is the best time for moving them.

In one of the houses where we bought pink-and-white peonies the woman
said she had a bed, as big as the barn-door, of "June" lilies, and that,
as they were going to build a hen-house next autumn on the spot where
they grew, she was going to lift some into one of her raised mounds (an
awful construction, being a cross between a gigantic dirt pie and a
grave), and said that I might have all the spare lily bulbs that I
wanted if I would give her what she termed a "hatching" of gladiolus
bulbs. Just at present the lilies have entirely disappea