"Who'd have thought it, Mary? You, young looking enough to pass for a
blushing bride but having a son old enough to think of a sweet-heart.
And little Poll here, trying to bamboozle us to let her go away to
school. Ah, well!"

Polly gazed from father to mother and back again. "What has John got to
do with this letter? Gracious, he isn't thinking of a wife, I hope!"

Her parents laughed at her perplexity, and Mr. Brewster explained
satisfactorily to her question:

"I was thinking of the four pretty girls we'd have at the ranch all
summer, if John comes home to choose one of them."

"Oh, Daddy! Then you'll have them come?" cried Polly, at the same time
jumping at her father to throw her arms about his neck.

"On one condition--yes. That is: a gal to do the chores for Maw, so she
can look after such a handful of trouble as three new ready-made
daughters will make for her."

"A hired girl! Why, Sam, how you talk. What could I ever do with help
in such a small house? Besides, Anne Stewart says they will help with
the work," objected Mrs. Brewster.

"That's my only condition! You're not going to slave for a lot of city
girls if I know it. Why, they won't know how to hold a kitchen knife,
let alone cook for the family," replied Mr. Brewster.

"I'll agree at once, Sam, because I know there isn't a girl or woman to