“Then don’t take it,” said Mrs. Frost promptly.

“That’s what I say, too, father,” chimed in Frank.

“Don’t decide too hastily,” said Mr. Frost.  “Remember that in our circumstances this amount of money would be very useful.  Although Frank will do as well as any boy of his age, I do not expect him to make the farm as profitable as I should do, partly on account of my experience being greater, and partly because I should be able to accomplish more work than he.  One hundred and fifty dollars would procure many little comforts which otherwise you may have to do without.”

“I know that,” said Mrs. Frost quickly.  “But do you think I should enjoy them, if there were reports circulated, however unjustly, to your prejudice?  Besides, I shall know that the comforts at the camp must be fewer than you would enjoy at home.  We shall not wish to fare so much better than you.”

“Do you think with your mother, Frank?” asked Mr. Frost.

“I think mother is right,” said Frank, proud of having his opinion asked.  He was secretly determined, in spite of what his father had said, to see if he could not make the farm as profitable as it would be under his father’s management.

Mr. Frost seemed relieved by his wife’s expression of opinion.  “Then,” said he, “I will accept your decision as final.  I felt that it should be you, and not myself, who should decide it.  Now my mind will be at ease, so far as that goes.”

“You will not enlist at once, father?” asked Frank.

“Not for three or four weeks.  I shall wish to give you some special instructions before I go, so that your task may be easier.”

“Hadn’t I better leave school at once?”

“You may finish this week out.  However, I may as well begin my instructions without delay.  I believe you have never learned to milk.”

“No, sir.”

“Probably Carter will undertake that.  Still, it will be desirable that you should know how, in case he gets sick.  You may come out with me after supper and take your first lesson.”

Frank ran for his hat with alacrity.  This seemed like beginning in earnest.  He accompanied his father to the barn, and looked with new interest at the four cows constituting his father’s stock.

“I think we will begin with this one,” said his father, pointing to a red-and-white heifer.  “She is better-natured than the others, and, as I dare say your fingers will bungle a little at first, that is a point to be considered.”

If any of my boy readers has ever undertaken the task of milking for the first time, he will appreciate Frank’s difficulties.  When he had seen his father milking, it seemed to him extremely easy.  The milk poured out in rich streams, almost without an effort.  But under his inexperienced fingers none came.  He tugged away manfully, but with no result.

“I guess the cow’s dry,” said he at last, looking up in his father’s face.