"Unless we can come to some sort of an agreement for milk and butter. Of course I can't let you use the whole lot, but you might use part of it." "Did the owner say you could use the place?" "Yes, we have it down in writing. We are to use it for five years and then we can buy it if we wish." "I see." The farmer scratched his head. "Well, I dunno. Maybe we could let ye have butter an' milk. One thing is certain, I've got to have pasturin'." "We could fence off part of the lot in some way and you could use that." "Thet's so." "Besides that, I'll want some plowing done. I may have to hire you for that," pursued Randy. "I must say I like your spunk, Randy. I shan't charge ye a cent fer plowin'." After that the farmer and our hero talked matters over for half an hour, and the farmer told the youth what might be planted to advantage even so late in the season. Then Randy went home, feeling that the family was going to make a good move. CHAPTER IX THE NEW HOME The next few days were busy ones for Mrs. Thompson and for Randy. The landlord of the cottage in which they lived was notified that they were going to move, and then the woman set to work to get ready to vacate, while Randy went over to the other place to put the house in condition for occupancy. While Randy was at work Jack came to see him, and insisted upon lending a helping hand. Randy had brought over some of his father's tools and also some nails, and he purchased at the lumber yard a few boards and other pieces he thought he needed. When he once got at it, it was astonishing how well our hero used the tools, making several repairs that would have done credit to a regular carpenter. The broken window was replaced, and the missing door found and rehung, and several clapboards nailed fast. Then Randy mended the porch, and put a score of shingles on the roof. This done, the chimney was cleaned out and also the cistern, and the well was also overhauled. In the meantime Jack pulled out a lot of weeds and trained a wild honeysuckle over the porch. At the end of four days the place looked quite well. "It's a hundred per cent. better than it was," declared Jack. "It didn't look like anything before." "I'll get a can of paint to-morrow and paint the door and the window frames," said Randy, and this was done. He also whitewashed the kitchen, and kalsomined the other rooms, so that the interior of the cottage was sweet and clean. When Mrs. Thompson saw the change which had been wrought she was delighted. "I declare, it looks as well, if not better, than the cottage we are in," she cried. "And the outlook toward the river is ever so much nicer." "Just wait until I have the garden in shape," said Randy. "You won't know the spot." "What a pity we did not know of this place before." "Mother, I think we ought to buy it if we can." "Perhaps we shall, Randy, before the five years are up."