Volume I Part 50 (2/2)
But he did not immediately answer her.
”The land's in poor heart now,” said he, ”a good deal of it; it has been wasted; it wants first-rate management to bring it in order, and make much of it for two or three years to come.
I never see an Irishman's head yet that was worth more than a joke. Their hands are all of 'em that's good for anything.”
”I believe uncle Rolf wants to have an American to go with this man,” said Fleda.
Seth said nothing; but Fleda understood the shake of his head as he reached over after a pickle.
”Are you going to keep a dairy, Fleda?” said her aunt.
”I don't know, Ma'am ? I haven't heard anything about it.”
”Does Mrs. Rossitur know anything about country affairs?”
”No ? nothing,” Fleda said, her heart sinking perceptibly with every new question.
”She hasn't any cows yet?”
She? ? any cows! ? But Fleda only said they had not come; she believed they were coming.
”What help has she got?”
”Two women ? Irishwomen,” said Fleda.
”Mother, you'll have to take hold and learn her,” said Mr.
Plumfield.
”Teach her?” cried Fleda, repelling the idea ? ”aunt Lucy? she cannot do anything ? she isn't strong enough; not anything of that kind.”
”What did she come here for?” said Seth.
”You know,” said his mother, ”that Mr. Rossitur's circ.u.mstances obliged him to quit New York.”
”Ay, but that aint my question. A man had better keep his fingers off anything he can't live by. A farm's one thing or t'other, just as it's worked. The land wont grow specie ? it must be fetched out of it. Is Mr. Rossitur a smart man?”
”Very,” Fleda said, ”about everything but farming.”
”Well, if he'll put himself to school, maybe he'll learn,”
Seth concluded, as he finished his breakfast and went off.
Fleda rose too, and was standing thoughtfully by the fire, when aunt Miriam came up and put her arms round her. Fleda's eyes sparkled again.
”You're not changed ? you're the same little Fleda,” she said.
”Not quite so little,” said Fleda, smiling.
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