Minnows were plentiful, and as Jimmy said, "It seemed as if the domn plum tree just rained caterpillars." So they bided their time, and the signs prohibiting trespass on all sides of their land were many and emphatic, and Mary had instructions to ring the dinner bell if she caught sight of any strangers.
The days grew longer, and the sun was insistent.

Untold miles they trudged back and forth across their land, guiding their horses, jerked about with plows, their feet weighted with the damp, clinging earth, and their clothing pasted to their wet bodies.

Jimmy was growing restless.

Never in all his life had he worked so faithfully as that spring, and never had his visits to Casey's so told on him.

No matter where they started, or how hard they worked, Dannie was across the middle of the field, and helping Jimmy before the finish.