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him to come in to meals at all hours—and you doin’ the work! You ought to force him to have more consideration. I never heard of such a thin’. You mind my words and let him go to the kitchen and get his own once in a while, and see if he don’t toe the mark. You’re too easy goin’, that’s the trouble.

—Do stop your nagging at me, Ma! I’m sick of hearing you. I’ll do as I please about it; and thank you for not interfering. [She wipes her moist forehead—wearily.] Phew! It’s too hot to argue. Let’s talk of something pleasant. [Curiously.] Didn’t I hear you speaking about Andy a while ago?

—We were wondering when he’d get home.

—[Brightening.] Rob says any day now he’s liable to drop in and surprise us—him and the Captain. I wonder if he’s changed much—what he’ll be like. It’ll certainly look natural to see him around the farm again.

—Let’s hope the farm’ll look more natural, too, when he’s had a hand at it. The way thin’s are now!

—[Irritably.] Will you stop harping on that. Ma? We all know things aren’t as they might be. What’s the good of your complaining all the time?

—There, Kate Mayo! Ain’t that just what I told you? I can’t say a word of advice to my own daughter even, she’s that stubborn and self-willed.