Vee was mighty sympathetic about the blisters and the way my back felt. I was dosed and plastered and put to bed at 8:30 to make up for all the sleep I'd lost at the other end of the day. "And we'll not bother any more about the silly old flowers," says she. "If Dominick can't find time to do the spading we'll just let it go." "No," says I, firm and heroic. "I'm no quitter, Vee. I said I'd get it done within three days and I stick to it." "Torchy," says she, "don't you dare try getting up again at daylight and working with your poor blistered hands. I--I shall feel dreadfully about it, if you do." "Well, maybe I will skip tomorrow mornin'," says I, "but somehow or other that diggin' has got to be done." "I only wish Auntie could hear you say that," says Vee, pattin' me gently on the cheek. "Why Auntie?" I asks. "Oh, just because," says Vee. With that she fixes me up all comfy on the sleepin' porch and tells me to call her if I want anything. "I won't," says I. "I'm all set for slumber. It's goin' to be a fine large night, ain't it!" "Perfect," says Vee. "Moon shinin' and everything?" says I. "Yes," says she. "Then here's hoping," says I. "There, there!" says Vee. "I'm afraid you're a little feverish." Maybe I was, but I didn't hear another thing until more 'n ten hours later when I woke up to find the sun winkin' in at me through the shutters. "Did you have a good night's rest?" asks Vee. "As good as they come," says I. "How about you!" "Oh, I slept fairly well," says she. "I was awake once or twice. I suppose I was worrying a little about you. And then I thought I hear strange noises." "What sort of noises?" I asks. "Oh, like a lot of men walking by," says she. "That must have been nearly midnight. They were talking low as they passed, and it almost sounded as if they were carrying tools of some sort. Then along towards morning I thought I heard them pass again. I'm sure some of them were swearing." "Huh!" says I. "I wonder what they could have been peeved about on such a fine night?" "Or I might have been simply dreaming," she adds. "Yes, and then again," says I, smotherin' a chuckle. I could hardly wait to dress and shave before rushin' out to inspect the spot where I'd almost ruined myself only the mornin' before. And it was something worth inspectin'. I'll say. Must be nearly half an acre in that strip and I expect that sod has been growin' for years untouched by the hand of man. At 6 P. M. last night it was just a mass of thick grass and dandelions, but now--say, a tractor plough and a gang of prairie tamers couldn't have done a more thorough job. If there was a square foot that hadn't been torn up I couldn't see it with the naked eye.