"I'll help ma do the work in the house and the garden," volunteered Cory. "And I'm strong enough to work outdoors now," said Lily Rose. "I shall help with the garden and with the housework." "We'll all pitch in and work," said Flamingus authoritatively, "and we're all partners and we won't hire no help. It will be clear profit." "Ain't it lovely, Amarilly?" asked the mother, apprehensive lest the little leader might blackball the project. "We're all doing so well here, why change? Why not let well enough alone?" she asked. There was a general and surprised protest at this statement. It was something new for Amarilly to be a kill-joy. "Do you like to live in this alley when we kin hev all outdoors and git a chanst to be somebody?" demanded Flamingus, who was rapidly usurping his sister's place as head of the house. "And think of the money we'll make!" reminded Milton. "And the milk and butter and cream and good things to eat without buying them!" exclaimed Gus. "And huntin' f'r eggs and swimmin' in the river and skatin' and gettin' hickory nuts and all the apples you kin eat," persuaded Bobby, who had evidently been listening to the Boarder's fancies of farm life. "Thar's a school close by, and all the chillern kin go," said the mother anxiously. "Mebby you kin git to teach it after a while, Amarilly." "Oh, Amarilly!" cried Lily Rose ecstatically, "to think of all the trees, and all the sky, and all the green grass and all the birds--oh, Amarilly!" Words failed Lily Rose, but she sighed a far-seeing blissful sigh of exquisite happiness at her horoscope. The Boarder looked at her, his heart eloquent in his eyes, but he said nothing. "Amarilly," cried Cory, "we kin hev real flowers fer nuthin' and pies and ice-cream, and we kin cuddle little chicks like ma told me, and make daisy chains, and hev picnics in the woods. Oh--" Words also proved inadequate to Co's anticipations. "Amawilly, we kin play wiv little lambs," lisped Iry. "Bud, you haven't made your speech, yet," said Amarilly, wistfully, realizing that the majority was against her. "Bud won't go till fall," said Mrs. Jenkins. "Till fall!" cried Amarilly faintly. "Why, when are we going?" "Next week," answered the Boarder jubilantly. "The folks want to leave right away, and we must get busy plantin'. I went to Vedder's friend, the real estate man, this mornin' as soon as I got back, and he says it's a real bargain." "But why isn't Bud going?"