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Rollo explained to his father that they had been making a sand-garden out in a corner of the yard, and they both asked him to go with them and see it. They all three accordingly went out behind the house, the children running on before. “But, boys,” said Rollo’s father, as they went on, “how came your feet so muddy?” “O,” said James, “they got muddy in the quagmire.”
The door was open, and Rollo’s father knocked at it with the head of his cane. A pleasant-looking young woman came to the door. “Is Farmer Cropwell at home?” said Rollo’s father. “Yes, sir,” said she, “he is out in the long barn, I believe.” “Shall I go there and look for him?” said he. “If you please, sir.” So Rollo’s father walked along to the barn. It was a long barn indeed.
“Yes, I find my garden is getting settled, and I came to talk with you a little about some garden seeds.” The truth was, that Rollo’s father was accustomed to come every spring, and purchase his garden seeds at this farm; and so, after a few minutes, they went into the house, taking Rollo with them, to get the seeds that were wanted, out of the seed-room.
On counting up the loads which it had taken to do this work, Rollo’s father found that he owed Rollo twenty-three cents, and James twenty-one. The reason why Rollo had earned the most was because, at one time, James said he was tired, and must rest, and, while he was resting, Rollo went on wheeling. James seemed rather sorry that he had not got as many cents as Rollo.
The next morning, after breakfast, Rollo’s father told him he was ready for him to go to his work. He took a small basket in his hand, and led Rollo out into the barn, and told him to wait there a few minutes, and he would bring him something to do. Rollo sat down on a little bundle of straw, wondering what his work was going to be.
“Causey?” said Rollo. “Yes, causey,” said his father; “such a hard, dry road, built along a muddy place, is called a causey.” They had got to the tea-table by this time; and while at tea, Rollo’s father explained the plan to them more fully. He said he would pay them a cent for every two loads of stones or gravel which they should wheel in to make the causey.
George will come to your house, this afternoon, with the strawberry plants, and then he can bring the wagon home.” The Strawberry-Bed. George Cropwell came, soon after, to Rollo’s house, and helped him make a fine strawberry-bed, which, he said, he thought would bear considerably the next year. They dug up the ground, raked it over carefully, and then put in the plants in rows.
Count them, and see how many there are.” The boys counted them, and found there were fifteen. “That is enough to come to seven cents, and one load over,” said Rollo’s father; and he took out his purse, and gave the boys seven cents each, that is, a six-cent piece in silver, and one cent besides.
They trundled their wheelbarrows up to the door leading out to the garden; and Rollo knocked at the door. Now Rollo’s mother happened, at this time, to be sitting at the back-parlor window, and she heard their voices as they came along the yard. So, supposing the knocking was some of their play, she just looked out of the window, and called out, “Who’s there?”
It is worth as much as that, certainly.” “Yes, madam, so I tell her,” said the shopman. “But I have not got but ten cents,” said the little girl. “Have not you?” said Rollo’s mother. She stood still thinking a moment, and then she asked the little girl what her name was. She said it was Maria. She asked her what she wanted the slate for; and Maria said it was to do sums on, at school.
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