But there was no opportunity for her to display her knowledge, as Mrs. James had an invitation ready for her. "Mr. Ames says he would like to have us drive with him to his brother's farm and see a model little place. We can bring back the potato seed and, at the same time, get lots of good advice and ideas about running our farm this summer."
In a few minutes more the three were crowded in upon the seat of the buckboard and Rachel stood in the kitchen doorway watching them drive off. Their gay laughter echoed back to her as she returned to the sink to finish the dishes, and she smiled as she murmured to herself: "Ef dis summer out on a farm don' make dat chile oveh inter a new bein', den my name ain't 'Rachel!'"
CHAPTER VIII--MISS MASON'S PATROL ARRIVES
The drive from Green Hill Farm to Mr. Ames's brother's farm was enlivened for Mrs. James and Natalie by the driver's gossip about the neighboring farmers whose places they passed. One farmer made a speciality of raising poultry, another tried to raise flowers, but his greenhouses were not arranged well, and his plants generally froze in cold weather. Still another farmer planned to raise nothing but market-truck, but he kept postponing the attempt and thus never amounted to anything.
All these various plans gave Natalie food for thought, and she had many schemes outlined in her head by the time Mr. Ames drove in at his brother's farm-gate.
The house and front gardens were as neat as wax, and one could see from the road that the farm itself was well cared for. Mr. Ames spoke the truth when he bragged of it as being a model farm.
Mrs. Ames came to the side door at the sound of wheels crunching the gravel, and smiled a welcome at her brother-in-law.
"I brung the leddies I tol' you about," explained Mr. Ames, as he jumped out and turned to help Mrs. James and Natalie.
After introductions were over, Mrs. Ames remarked: "I'll go call my husband. He's at the barns tryin' to coax a few little pigs from the mother."
"Oh, oh! Are they tiny little pigs!" cried Natalie excitedly.
"Oh dear! Can't I see them?" asked she anxiously.
Everyone laughed. "Of course you can," returned Mrs. Ames.
"We will all go and see them," added Mrs. James. "I like to see little creatures, too."