eat and took the reins.

"Well, be ready in about fifteen minutes," he directed. "It's thanks
to Mr. Hildreth that the poor-farm folks are going to get some early
tomatoes."

"I've a good mind to cuff you," said the exasperated Mr. Hildreth who
had never been known to raise his hand against anyone. (Warren had
once remarked that when he raised his voice he needed no further
reinforcements.) "It's a pity when we have the first tomatoes and more
than we can use, not to send those poor creatures a few."

The "few" tomatoes proved to be six peach baskets full and they made a
crimson splash in the back of the light spring wagon Warren presently
drove around harnessed to the useful Solomon.

"Mother says do you want to take us all?" cried Shirley, balancing
herself on the lowest step and eyeing Richard anxiously. "I hope you
want all of us, Richard, because no one wants to stay home."

Her mother, coming out in time to hear this speech, laughed.

"Have you room for three, Richard?" she asked. "The girls have had a
great many rides lately and I'm sure one or two will stay home without
grumbling, if necessary."

"Room for everybody," Richard assured her. "Don't you want to go, Mrs.
Willis? I'll tip the girls over with the tomatoes and you may have the
whole front seat, if you'll come."

"Thank you no," she answered him smiling. "Winnie and I have a busy
day ahead of us. You know the doctor and Jack Welles are coming up
next week to stay two weeks and Winnie and I want to have as much done
ahead as we can. Have a good time and bring me home some wild flowers
if you pass any growing along the road."

It was a warm morning, but no one minds that in July. Besides, as
Sarah pointed out, there was now and then a breeze. Sarah and Shirley
were seated in the middle of the single long seat with Richard at one
end and Rosemary the other.

As usual Sarah and Shirley both wanted to drive and, also as usual,
Richard settled the argument diplomatically by allowing each to hold
the reins in turn, stipulating fixed distances for each, using the
trees which could be seen ahead as boundary marks.

Rosemary was less interested in the driving than in their destination.
She plied Richard with questions about the poor farm. Who lived there?
How many people? How poor did one have to be before he was compelled
to live on the poor farm? Did one, once sent there, ever save enough
money to go somewhere else? Were there any ch