The Abandoned Farmer

had rented a farm I thought you must be simply crazy to let him do it, but your letter has reassured me. Of course, if he has quite determined not to go to any expense in the expectation of makin

e. If your poor uncle had only been guided by my advice, or if I had been[Pg 90] less easily swayed by his hop

ean! And the chickens! Do you know, I can't touch chickens in the city; I haven't tasted one for a year, I am so dis

hless tone that brought a responsive gleam to Marion's worried face. She left the breakfast table and loo

within hearing," she said;

held his little tin pail of corn; with the other he dealt out one grain at a time to each in turn, calling the fowl by name and

te despair; then we both studied the tablecloth without speaking, feeling that th

med, never have loved with the passionate fervor that he bestowed on each one of the variegated specimens hatched from eggs at ten cents a dozen. My eggs, I computed, would have cost not more than five[Pg 92] dollars; so in order to save four dollars and a half, Marion had saddled us with a flock as

g. "I have asked you repeatedly," she said, with frost

tated, and I try to avoid answering back, but

es and to make-believe that having our own chickens[Pg 93] is one of our many daily luxuries; but now that your Aunt Sophy is coming we've got to eat them, or she'll know the reason why. Oh, yes, I know," I added, as she tried to interrupt-"I know we can't have them in the ab

ng me to expect a revival of some of my mistakes. I can evolve plausible theorie

see, Henry, that it is but another instance of your habit of evading unpleasant duties. I have told you repeatedly"-I squirmed in protest, for

any kind of a scrimmage-I'd do anything to please you. If yo

ow six, and yet he never knew there was such a thing as death until last month. You had your way about that-and what was the result? The child nearly went crazy when his ban

nd," I protested indigna

t on sternly, "perfectly happy in

g

, "asking if Bijou had gone

settle with Paul. If you had explained to him that chickens were made to eat, as I wanted you to do in the first place, you wouldn't have had this trouble now. If I thought it woul

cifying the first victims by name, but before I could speak my wi

sness; indeed, I am [Pg 96]inclined to feel personally unworthy to attempt any good act that is patently out of my line, yet on the rare oc

olution wavered as I watched his innocent enjoyment, but the thought of Aunt Sophy spurred me on. Besides, i

rfulness, "giving them a ride? Are these

est gaze piercing my jocose mask. "Why, father," he exclaimed, "your voice sounds so quee

d we'll have a talk.... Do you know that-that people sometimes ha

s, and ponies and other animals; but I don't want anything for pets except hens and chickens, and perhaps-well, I think I would

swered with c

houlder. "You say that as if"-he hesitated shyly-"as i

, far better!" I excla

g

equipoise of his self-esteem, but he is quick to feel the hurt of unjust depreciation. When Marion forgets my imperfections and tells me I am the best man in the world, I am aware that she is drawing it a little

ring tone. I began again cautiously, taking care to speak with soothing mellowness. "I d

ing with a spade, a rake and a hoe," he reminded me, "and mother said

assing lightly over the objectionable features, I briefly sketched the magnitude of the chicken-raising industry for supplying city ma

ould never send our chickens to ma

me. The chickens gathered around, and I fancied they regarded me with intuitive dread in their glistening eyes, as if they waited to hear my next attempt to seal their doom. An overgrown bully suddenly

's name, Paul?" I ask

. "Don't you remember you named him

oft, wide-open eyes, the prettiest one of the brood; now he was grown into a g

mp breast appreciatively, "and it might be better to

the policeman and you're the judge-he must b

er band that fitted tightly over his bill. His antics amused[Pg

use. "Do you know, Paul, how a person who kills another is punished?" He lo

d w

m a dollar

d that's all. And do they ta

do," I replied,

t love chicken

n; but if they're naughty I love to see them not running about with their feathers off." Paul laughed in glee. "Your mother and Aunt Sophy like them too," I went on warily,[Pg 102] my heart thumping; "an

p in front of me, his face twitching and his eyes

lored; "your aunt Sophy is co

to forswear all designs on his pets, but he fled as if I were after his scalp. When I finally found him, too late, he was in his mother's arms, and I knew

st him two dollars apiece, being from thoroughbred stock, but I see you have more sense and raise good plain barnyard fowls that you can eat every day if you want to. Why, we must have had t

ed, stroking my mustache with