“And to ride horseback.  I am going to hire old Jane and get out the little phaeton, so we can all enjoy the fine weather while it lasts.  Molly and I can drive Jill, and you can take turns in the saddle when you are tired of ball and boating.  Exercise of all sorts is one of the lessons we are to learn,” said Mrs. Minot, suggesting all the pleasant things she could to sweeten the pill for her pupils, two of whom did love their books, not being old enough to know that even an excellent thing may be overdone.

“Won’t that be gay?  I’ll get down the saddle to-day, so we can begin right off.  Lem rides, and we can go together.  Hope old Jane will like it as well as I shall,” said Jack, who had found a new friend in a pleasant lad lately come to town.

“You must see that she does, for you boys are to take care of her.  We will put the barn in order, and you can decide which shall be hostler and which gardener, for I don’t intend to hire labor on the place any more.  Our estate is not a large one, and it will be excellent work for you, my men.”

“All right!  I’ll see to Jane.  I love horses,” said Jack, well pleased with the prospect.

“My horse won’t need much care.  I prefer a bicycle to a beast, so I’ll get in the squashes, pick the apples, and cover the strawberry bed when it is time,” added Frank, who had enjoyed the free life at Pebbly Beach so much that he was willing to prolong it.

“You may put me in a hen-coop, and keep me there a year, if you like.  I won’t fret, for I’m sure you know what is best for me,” said Jill, gayly, as she looked up at the good friend who had done so much for her.

“I’m not sure that I won’t put you in a pretty cage and send you to Cattle Show, as a sample of what we can do in the way of taming a wild bird till it is nearly as meek as a dove,” answered Mrs. Minot, much gratified at the amiability of her flock.

“I don’t see why there should not be an exhibition of children, and prizes for the good and pretty ones, as well as for fat pigs, fine horses, or handsome fruit and flowers—­I don’t mean a baby show, but boys and girls, so people can see what the prospect is of a good crop for the next generation,” said Frank, glancing toward the tower of the building where the yearly Agricultural Fair was soon to be held.

“Years ago, there was a pretty custom here of collecting all the schools together in the spring, and having a festival at the Town Hall.  Each school showed its best pupils, and the parents looked on at the blooming flower show.  It was a pity it was ever given up, for the schools have never been so good as then, nor the interest in them so great;” and Mrs. Minot wondered, as many people do, why farmers seem to care more for their cattle and crops than for their children, willingly spending large sums on big barns and costly experiments, while the school-houses are shabby and inconvenient, and the cheapest teachers preferred.