As they came to the barn and sheds Mr. Borden glanced keenly at the objects in view. “Dan and Tom appear to be taking good care of their belongings,” he said quietly. “The wagons are all under cover and there’s no litter about the place. Let me step inside the barn a moment,” he added as he entered the rude building. Walter looked rather eagerly into his father’s face when Mr. Borden came out of the barn, but as his father smiled and did not refer to what he had seen inside the building he did not voice the question he was eager to ask. As the two drew near the place where Dan and his brother were hoeing, the young farmers did not stop their labors as they pleasantly greeted their visitors. “We are on our way back home and just stopped a moment to look at your potato-field,” Mr. Borden explained. “You certainly have a promising crop, boys.” “Yes, sir,” replied Dan glancing with pride at the long and well-cultivated rows. “We have had an unusually good summer.” “Is this the last hoeing?” “Yes, sir.” “You’ll still have to fight the bugs, won’t you?” “Oh yes,” said Dan smiling as he spoke. “They keep us from getting lazy. I don’t know what they were made for anyway.” “When you do find out you must not forget to let the rest of us know. You might investigate mosquitoes and a few other creatures while you are at it.” “Well, they are a sure cure for taking things too easily.” “Are they?” laughed Mr. Borden. “Some of us think we don’t need any whip or spur for that. Have you ever been in the city, Dan?” “Never in New York.” “Like it better here I fancy.” “I never expect to find anything I like as well as I do this place.” “Then you are planning to stay here, are you?” “No, sir.” “I recall that Walter told me you were going to the normal school this fall.” “I want to go.” “If you are so fond of the farm why do you leave it?” “A farmer ought to be more than his farm.” “I don’t think I quite understand you.” “It pays to put money into a farm. It ought to pay better to put money into a farmer.” “Why?” “I don’t know that I can explain, though I see what I mean,” said Dan thoughtfully. “I have an idea that an education helps to set a man’s brains in working order.” “It ought to,” assented Mr. Borden. “That is what I want.” “So you are going to the normal school to work, are you?” “Yes, sir.” “And you don’t expect to dodge any classes or slip along as easily as possible?” “I don’t know what I may do, but I know what I need and what I want too. I want to get my brains into as good working order as I have the muscles in my right arm.” “Walter told me you struck out fifteen yesterday.” “Yes, sir,” replied Dan simply. “Come on, Walter; we must be going,” said Mr. Borden turning to his boy. Bidding the young farmers good morning the visitors at once departed, walking toward the rail fence which they speedily climbed, and then following the course of the noisy brook they returned to the bridge.