“Of course I see and approve,” cried Minturn.  “I know now why I had such a wild impulse to come out here to-day.  Why, certainly.  Just fancy me a city tramp looking for work, and not praying I won’t find it, either.  I’ll work for my board.  I know how to set out trees.  I can prove it, for I planted those thrifty fellows growing about our house in town.  Think how much more you’ll accomplish, with another man to help—­one that you can order around to your heart’s content.”

“The idea of my putting you to work!”

“A capital idea! and if a man doesn’t work when a woman puts him at it he isn’t worth the powder—­I won’t waste time even in original remarks.  I’ll promise you there will be double the number of trees out by night.  Let me take your father’s spade and show you how I can dig.  Is this the place?  If I don’t catch up with Hiram, you may send the tramp back to the city.”  And before she could remonstrate, his coat was off and he at work.

Laughing, yet half in doubt, she watched him.  The way he made the earth fly was surprising.  “Oh, come,” she said after a few moments, “you have shown your goodwill.  A steam-engine could not keep it up at that rate.”

“Perhaps not; but I can.  Before you engage me, I wish you to know that I am equal to old Adam, and can dig.”

“Engage you!” she thought with a little flutter of dismay.  “I could manage him with the help of town conventionalities; but how will it be here?  I suppose I can keep father and Hiram within earshot, and if he is so bent on—­well, call it a lark, since he has referred to that previous bird, perhaps I might as well have a lark too, seeing it’s my birthday.”  Then she spoke.  “Mr. Minturn!”

“I’m busy.”

“But really—­”

“And truly tell me, am I catching up with Hiram?”

“You’ll get down so deep that you’ll drop through if you’re not careful.”

“There’s nothing like having a man who is steady working for you.  Now, most fellows would stop and giggle at such little amusing remarks.”

“You are soiling your trousers.”

“Yes, you’re right.  They are mine.  There; isn’t that a regulation hole?  ‘Two feet across and eighteen deep.’”

“Yah! yah!” cackled Hiram; “eighteen foot deep!  Dat ud be a well.”

“Of course it would, and truth would lie at its bottom.  Can I stay, Miss Banning?”

“Did you ever see the like?” cried the farmer, who had appeared, unnoticed.

“Look here, father,” said the now merry girl, “perhaps I was mistaken.  This—­”

“Tramp—­” interjected Minturn.

“Says he’s looking for work and knows how to set out trees.”

“And will work all day for a dinner,” the tramp promptly added.

“If he can dig holes at that rate, Sue,” said her father, catching their spirit, “he’s worth a dinner.  But you’re boss to-day; I’m only one of the hands.”

“I’m only another,” said Minturn, touching his hat.