he place until I do the dishes,
and then we will see what I am to set you about."

This was so nearly a request for them to leave the kitchen, that they
lost no time in obeying, and when they were in the open air Master
Plummer said, with an air of perplexity:

"She's a mighty fine woman, an' all that kind of thing; but I'd like to
know what she's hintin' at by leavin' them towels on the table; they was
both there jest the same's last night, even though she must have known
that we was washed up in great shape."

"I noticed 'em, but don't believe there's anything out of the way about
it. She's kind of funny, an' perhaps that's one of her queer spots."

Aunt Dorcas's property was not extensive, as the boys learned after
walking over it.

There was an orchard either side of the lane which led from the highway,
and, in the rear of the house, an acre of ground, which had been
cultivated at some time in the past.

The buildings consisted of the cottage itself, the wood-shed, a second
shed which might once have been used as a carriage-house, and a small
barn or stable.

By the time they had concluded their investigations, aunt Dorcas joined
them, and said, with an odd smile on her withered face:

"It isn't much of a farm, as farms go nowadays, boys, but it's my home,
and very dear to me. Mr. McArthur, one of the neighbours, cuts the grass
in the orchards, and pays me a little something for it. I usually have a
garden out here; but this year it was neglected, until now it seems too
late for early vegetables."

"It wouldn't take us long to chuck in a pile of seeds, if that's all
you want," and one to have seen Master Plummer, at that moment, would
have believed him the most energetic of boys.

After aunt Dorcas explained that it would be necessary to spade up the
ground, Plums's enthusiasm for gardening diminished; but Joe begged for
the privilege of showing what he could do, and the little woman supplied
them with such tools as she thought necessary.

"If you want to know about anything, come right up to the house. It is
baking-day with me, and I shall be busy in the kitchen until
dinner-time."

Then she left them, and Plums seated himself within the shadow of the
barn, explaining, as he did so, that perhaps it would be better if he
"kinder got the hang of the thing by seein' Joe work."

Eager to repay aunt Dorcas for her kindness, Joe Potter laboured
industriously, despite the blisters which soon appeared on hi