crossly. "That is always the way; if I suggest a thing it is immediately
put down, yet there is never any one to think of things but me. What
would you do? I suppose you think you could make a living on the place
for us yourself."

"Why can't we live at home? Blackshaw and Jansen have no bigger places
than we, and families just as large, and yet they make a living. It would
be terrible for the little ones to grow up separated; they would be no
more to each other than strangers."

"Yes; it is all very well for you to talk like that, but how is your
father to start again with only five cows in the world? It's no use, you
never talk sense. You'll find my way is always the best in the end."

"Would it not be easier," I replied, "for our relations to each give a
little towards setting us up again, than to be burdened with the whole
responsibility of rearing a child? I'm sure they'd much prefer it."

"Yes, perhaps it would be better, but I think _you_ will have to get your
own living. What would they say about having to support such a big girl
as you are?"

"I will go and earn my own living, and when you get me weeded out of the
family you will have a perfect paradise. Having no evil to copy, the
children will grow up saints," I said bitterly.

"Now, Sybylla, it is foolish to talk like that, for you know that you
take no interest in your work. If you'd turn to and help me rear poultry
and make dresses--and why don't you take to cooking?"