th Washington and the State Agricultural College.

Now and then it crossed his mind that with the farm developing into such
an institution it would be more than desirable to pass it on to one of
his own blood, and secretly he was pleased when Rose told him a baby
was coming. A child, a son, might bring with him a little of what was
missing in his marriage with her. She irritated him more and more, not
by what she did but by what she was. Her whole temperament, in so much
as he permitted himself to be aware of it, her whole nature, jarred on
his.

"When is it due?"

"October."

"It's lucky harvest will be over; silo filling, too," was his only
comment.

In spite of Rose's three long years with Martin his lack of enthusiasm
was like a sharp stab. What had she expected, she asked herself sternly.
To be taken in his arms and rejoiced over as others were at such a
moment? What did he care so long as he wouldn't have to hire extra help
for her in the busy season! It was incredible--his hardness.

Why couldn't she hate him? He was mean enough to her, surely. "I'm as
foolish as old Rover," she thought bitterly. The faithful dog lived for
his master and yet Rose could not remember ever having seen Martin give
him a pat. "When I once hold my own little baby in my arms, I won't
care like this. I'll have someone else to fill my heart," she consoled
herself, thrilling anew with the conviction that then she would be more
than recompensed for everything. The love she had missed, the house that
had been stolen from her--what were they in comparison to this growing
bit of life? Meanwhile, she longed as never before to feel near to
Martin. She could not help recalling how gallantly her father had
watched over her mother when she carried her last child and how eagerly
they all had waited upon her. At times, the contrast was scarcely to be
borne.

Rose was troubled with nausea, but Martin pooh-poohed, as childish, the
notion of dropping some of her responsibilities. Didn't his mares work
almost to the day of foaling? It was good for them, keeping them in
shape. And the cows--didn't they go about placidly until within a few
hours of bringing their calves? Even the sows--did they droop as they
neared farrowing? Why should a woman be so different? Her child would be
healthier and she able to bring it into the world with less discomfort
to herself if she went about her ordinary duties in her usual way. Thus
Martin, impersonally, logic