didn't bother to milk her.

"You'll have to go to town to buy grain, if you want to feed her
up--and for the chickens and the horse. The old man didn't make
much of a crop last year--or them shiftless Dickersons didn't
make much for him.

"I saw Sam Dickerson around here this morning. He borrowed some
of the old man's tools when Uncle Jeptha was sick, and you'll
have to go after 'em, I reckon.

"Sam's the best borrower that ever was; but he never can remember
to bring things back. He says it's bad enough to have to borrow;
it's too much to expect the same man to return what he borrows.

"Now, Mrs. Dickerson," pursued Mrs. Larriper, "was as nice a
girl before she married--she was a Stepney--as ever walked in
shoe-leather. And I guess she'd be right friendly with the
neighbors if Sam would let her.

"But the poor thing never gits to go out--no, sir! She's jest
tied to the house. They lost a child once--four year ago.
That's the only time I remember of seeing Sarah Stepney in church
since the day she was married--and she's got a boy--Pete--as old
as you be.

"Now, on the other side o' ye there's Darrell's tract, and you
won't have no trouble there, for there ain't a house on his
place, and he lets it lie idle. Waiting for a rise in price, I
'spect.