w it, and very
likely the man who has the first prize, knows it. You have a clean
conscience, and you know what you know. They surely can't feel right
about it, or enjoy what they know. You have had the experience, you
have the corn for seed; with these things to back you, clear a small
strip of new land beside the woods this winter, and try what that will
do for you."

Adam looked at her with wide eyes. "By jing, Mother, you are a dandy!"
he said. "You just bet I'll try that next year, but don't you tell a
soul; there are more than you who will let a strip be cleared, in an
effort to grow blue ribbon corn. How did you come to think of it?"

"Your saying all your work had been for nothing, made me think of it,"
she answered. "Let them give another man the prize, when they know
your corn is the best. It's their way of keeping a larger number of
people interested and avoiding the appearance of partiality; this
contest was too close; next year, you grow such corn, that the CORN
will force the decision in spite of the judges. Do you see?"

"I see," said Adam. "I'll try again."

After that life went on as usual. The annual Christmas party was the
loveliest of all, because Kate gave it loving thought, and because all
of their hearts were especially touched. As spring came on again, Kate
and Adam studied over their work, planning many changes for the better,
but each time they talked, when everything else was arranged, they came
back to corn. More than once, each of them dreamed corn that winter
while asleep, they frankly talked of it many times a day. Location,
soil, fertilizers, seed, cultivation--they even studied the almanacs
for a general forecast of the weather. These things brought them very
close together. Also it was admitted between them, that Little Poll
"grappled them with hooks of steel." They never lacked subjects for
conversation. Poll always came first, corn next, and during the winter
there began to be discussion of plans for Adam and Milly. Should Milly
come with them, or should they build a small house on the end of the
farm nearest her mother? Adam did not care, so he married Milly
speedily. Kate could not make up her mind. Milly had the inclination
of a bird for a personal and private nest of her own. So spring came
to them.

August brought the anniversary of Nancy Ellen's death, which again
saddened all of them. Then came cooler September weather, and the
usual rush of prepara