ou help earn as I have. You've shown
you'll be sensible in spending it. I don't believe you'll use enough
of it. Anyway, it will be yours, as it ought to be."

"Very well," she replied, nodding at him with piquant significance,
"I'll always have some to lend you."

"Yes, shouldn't wonder if you were the richest some day. Everything
you touch seems to turn out well. I shall be wholly dependent on you
hereafter for eggs and an occasional fricassee."

"You shall have your share. Yes, I like this notion. It grows on me.
I'd like to earn some money to do what I please with. You'll be
surprised to see what strange and extravagant tastes I'll develop!"

"I expect to be perfectly dumfoundered, as Mrs. Mumpson used to say.
Since you are so willing to lend, I'll lend you enough to get all you
want tomorrow. Make out your list. You can get a good start tomorrow
for I was too tired and it was too late for me to gather the eggs
tonight. I know, too, that a good many of the hens have stolen their
nests of late, and I've been too busy to look for 'em. You may find
perfect mines of eggs, but, for mercy's sake! don't climb around in
dangerous places. I had such bad luck with chicks last year that I've
only set a few hens. You can set few or many now, just as you please."

Even as he talked and leisurely finished his supper, his eyes grew
heavy with sleep. "What time will you start tomorrow?" she asked.

"Oh, no matter; long before you are up or ought to be. I'll get myself
a cup of coffee. I expect to do my morning work and be back by nine or
ten o'clock for I wish to get in some potatoes and other vegetables
before Sunday."

"Very well, I'll make out my list and lay it on the table here. Now,
why don't you go and sleep at once? You ought, with such an early
start in prospect."

"Ought I? Well, I never felt more inclined to do my duty. You must
own up I have put one good notion into your head?"

"I have said nothing against any of them. Come, you ought to go at
once."

"Can't I smoke my pipe first please?"

"You'll find it quieter in the parlor."

"But it's pleasanter here where I can watch you."

"Do you think I need watching?"

"Yes, a little, since you don't look after your own interests very
sharply."

"It isn't my way to look after anything very sharply."

"No, Alida, thank the Lord! There's nothing sharp about you, not even
your tongue. You won't mind being left alone a few hours tomorrow?