If my father had had the wisdom that John has, his boys wouldn't be the one a poor lawyer and the other a poor doctor in two different cities; and our farm wouldn't be in the hands of strangers.

It makes me sick to go there.

I think of my poor mother lying with her tired hands crossed out in the churchyard, and the boys so far away, and my father always hurrying and driving us--I can tell you, Laura, the thing cuts both ways.

It isn't all the fault of the boys that they leave the country." Mrs.Wood was silent for a little while after she made this long speech, and Miss Laura said nothing.

I took a turn or two up and down the stable, thinking of many things.