SCENE III.—_Sitting-room at MR. LEIGHTON’S. Time, evening.

MRS. LEIGHTON, C., ANNIE, R., and FRANK, L., present. FRANK is dressed in a coarse suit. MRS. L. is knitting._

MRS. LEIGHTON. Well, Mr. Forrester, how do you like your first day’s experience on a farm?

F. Very much, indeed. But, you know, I have not had any work to do yet. Mr. Leighton, unlike most employers, has given me a vacation to start with.

MRS. L. He wishes you to have a little time in which to look around first.

ANNIE (_smiling_). You find the hour for rising a little earlier here than in the city, I suppose.

F. Yes, I do. This morning I was awakened by the sound of a bell. I listened, wondering what could be the matter. There were sounds from below, as if something had happened. Doors were opened and shut hurriedly, and I could hear the voices of men outside. I dressed as quickly as I could, and hurried downstairs. But it appeared that nothing unusual had taken place. Mrs. Leighton was getting breakfast, and you were laying the table. I glanced up at the clock, and saw that it was a quarter past four o’clock (_smiling_),—about four hours earlier than I have been accustomed to rise. Then it occurred to me that people living on farms are obliged to get up early.

MRS. L. Yes, my mother used to say that an hour in the morning was worth three later in the day. But did you rest well, Mr. Forrester?

F. Oh yes, very well.

MRS. L. When I pass the night in the city I can’t sleep, there is so much noise. But last summer a lady who was visiting here could not sleep because _she missed the noise_.

F. There is a great deal in habit. (_A pause._) By the way, I said that I had done no work to-day. I forgot to mention that I had accomplished a feat which I never attempted before.

A. What was that?

F. I unharnessed the horse.

A. How did you succeed?

F. I got the harness off, but not very scientifically, I’m afraid, for I heard Mike tell Jerry that that city chap was the curiousest feller he ever see, for he unfastened every buckle that was in the harness, and then left it in a heap on the floor.

A. (_smiling_). I think that’s a little worse than I should do, for I believe I should endeavor to hang the harness up.

F. To tell the truth, I thought of doing so, but there were so many small pieces that it was impossible. If I had found a basket near, I should have gathered them up and put them in that.

A. That would be a novel method of disposing of it.

MRS. L. I expect, Mr. Forrester, that you are one of those students who don’t know much about anything but books.

F. At all events I find, in looking around me, that I don’t know much about farming. But there’s one good feature in the case: I am anxious to learn.

MRS. L. Oh, I haven’t any doubt but you’ll make quite a farmer yet!

(_Curtain falls._)