morning. I didn't know what to say. And I had to promise
her she could go to the picnic if she got well. That'll mean a pretty
dress, and hat and shoes.

_Jim_

I don't know where you'll get 'em then.

_Mary_

Looks like we ought to be able to give our children a little pleasure.
There's poor Billie and Tom don't more'n get home from school an' lay
their books down till they have to go to hoein' and pullin' weeds. I
don't blame Billie a bit for runnin' away and goin' fishin' last
Saturday.

_Jim_

I don't either, though I had to whip him for it. I can't do without his
work and get through.

_Mary_

Get through? When did we ever get through anyhow? Look at this, Jim.
(_Picks up paper and points to paragraph._) Beef steers sold to-day in
Chicago at nine cents a pound. It cost us fourteen cents to raise ours,
and we're countin' on makin' things easier by raisin' more next year.
And see here, it says _beef_ went _up_ in the Eastern market four cents.

_Jim_

Steers down, beef up! Robbin' both ways.

(_Enter_ BILLIE _and_ TOM _with schoolbooks, which they throw down,
shouting: "We got a half-holiday!"_)

_Billie_

The big boys are goin' to play ball. Dad, can't we go watch 'em?
(MARY _and_ JIM _look at each other._)

We ain't seen a ball game this year, and we want to learn to play.
They're makin' a little boys' team at school.

_Mary_

Daddy's workin' awfully hard to-day. He needs you bad to pile brush for
him.

_Jim_

You can't go to-day, boys. Next time----

_Billie_ (_hopeless_)

Oh, next time! It's always next time.

_Mary_

Wash up now, and you can have a hot dinner.

(_They wash listlessly._)

_Jim_

Mary, I think you'd better telephone for the doctor to come and have a
look at Rosie.

_Mary_ (_hesitating_)

I did--this morning. He said he didn't have time to come out to-day.

_Jim_

Dr. Lowden?

_Mary_

Guess he's tired o' comin' for nothing. You can't blame him.

(JIM _hangs his head. A knock at the door._ JIM _rises and opens it._
CHO-CHO _enters giggling and grimacing while the farmer and his wife
are speechless with amazement._)

_Cho-Cho_

You sent for a doctor?

_Jim_

Yes--but--you--ain't--no doctor.

_Cho-Cho_

No, I--ain't--no--doctor (_mimicking_), but my daughter is a doctor and
here she is now.

(_Enter_ EVERYCHILD _disguised as a doctor, with a long black cape
hiding her white dress, a pair of goggles over her ey