irl she had no part
in the field-work. Even now, in that part of the country, the wives and
daughters of farmers help their fathers and brothers during the busy
seasons of spring and harvest; and for many years after the opening up
of the country the females helped to clear the land, putting their hands
to all kinds of out-door work as cheerfully as need be. As for Shenac,
she would have scorned the idea that there was any work that her
brothers could do for which they had not the strength and skill.

Indeed, Shenac had her full share of the field-work, and much to do in
the house besides. The mother was not strong yet, either in mind or
body: she would never be strong again, Shenac sometimes feared, and she
must be saved as far as possible from all care and anxiety. So the
heaviest of the household work fell to Shenac. They had not a large
dairy, and never could have again; for the greater part of their pasture
and mowing land lay on the wrong side of the high cedar fence so hotly
resented by the children. But the three cows which they had were her
peculiar care. She milked them morning and evening, and, when the days
were longest, at noon too; and though her mother prepared the dishes for
the milk and skimmed the cream, Shenac always made the butter, because
churning needed strength as well as skill; and oftener than otherwise it
was done before she called her brothers in the morning.

Much may be accomplished in a short time by a quick eye and a ready
hand, and Shenac had both. The minutes after meal-time which her
brothers took for rest, or for lingering about to talk together, she
filled with the numberless items of household work which seem little in
the doing, but which being left undone bring all things into disorder.

When any number of persons are brought together in circumstances where
decision and action become necessary, the leadership will naturally fall
on the one among them who is best fitted by natural gifts or acquired
knowledge to assume responsibility. It is the same in families where
the head has been suddenly removed. Quite unconsciously to herself,
Shenac assumed the leadership in the household; and it was well for her
brothers that she had duties within-doors as well as in the fields.
There were days in these months of May and June which were not half long
enough for the accomplishment of her plans and wishes. I am afraid that
at such times the strength of Hamish and the patience of D