Polly had found a way, and I was heartily glad of it, for I did not feel like giving up my hold on the man and the boys.  Lars was glad of the chance to make good again, and he willingly agreed to go.  He was to receive $23 a month.  This was less than he was getting in the city, but it was the wage which we were paying that year at the farm, and he was content; for the boys were each to receive $5 a month, and to be sent to school eight months a year for three years.

This matter arranged, we began to plan for the moving.  I had five horses in my stable,—­a span of blacks for the carriage and three single drivers.  Besides the horses, harness, and equipment, there was a large carriage, a brougham, a Goddard phaeton, a runabout, and a cart.  I exchanged the brougham and the Goddard for a station wagon and a park phaeton, as more suitable for country use.

The barn equipment was all sent in one caravan, Thompson and Zeb coming into town to help Lars drive out.  Our lares and penates were sent by freight on December 17.  Polly had managed to coax another thousand dollars out of me for things for the house; and these, with the furniture from our old home, made a brave showing when we gathered around the big fire in the living room, December 22, for our first night in the country.

Tom, Kate, and the grand-girls were with us to spend the holidays, and so, too, was the lady whom we call Laura.  I shall not try to say much about Laura.  She was a somewhat recent friend.  How we ever came to know her well, was half a mystery; and how we ever got on before we knew her well, was a whole one.

Roaring fires and shaded lamps gave an air of homelike grace to our new house, and we decided that we would never economize in either wood or oil; they seemed to stir the home spirit more than ever did coal or electricity.

The day had been a busy one for the ladies, but they were pleased with results as they looked around the well-ordered house and saw the work of their hands.  Before separating for the night, Kate said:—­

“I’m going to town to-morrow, and I’ll pick up Jane and Jack in time to take the four o’clock train out.  Papa will meet us at the station, and Momee will greet us at the doorstep.  Make an illumination, Momee, and we will carry them by storm.  Tom will have to take a later train, but he will be here in time for dinner.”

The afternoon of the 23d, the children came, and there was no failure in Kate’s plan.  The youngsters were delighted with everything.  Jane said:—­

“I always wanted to live on a farm.  I can have a saddle horse now, and keep as many dogs as I like, can’t I, Dad?”

“You shall have the horse, and the dogs, too, when you come to stay.”

“Daddy,” said Jack, “this will be great for you.  Let me finish at an agricultural college, so that I can be of some practical help.”