Such hay farmers sometimes call "podgum." Fully aware of the fact, the old Squire now said in an undertone to the elder and to Jim that they had better make two loads of the thirty-three tumbles.

But grandmother Ruth overheard the remark and mistook it to mean that the old Squire did not believe she could lay the load.

It mortified her.
"No, sir-ee!" she shouted down to the old Squire.

"I hear your talk about two loads, and it's because I'm on the cart! I won't have it so! You give me that hay! I'll load it; see if I don't!" "Bully for you, Gram!" shouted Halstead.
It was no use to try to dissuade her now, as the old Squire well knew from long experience.

When her pride was touched no arguments would move her.
With the elder heaving up great forkfuls and grandmother Ruth valiantly laying them at the front and at the back of the rack, they continued loading the hay.