I lived there as a boy--but it seems like Eden compared to this
place and its surroundings; and I feel as if I were being driven
back to it by circumstances I can't control."




CHAPTER III

NEW PROSPECTS


There is no need of dwelling further on the reasons for or against
the step we proposed. We thought a great deal and talked it over
several times. Finally my wife agreed that the change would be wise
and best for all. Then the children were taken into our confidence,
and they became more delighted every day as the prospect grew
clearer to them.

"We'll all be good soon, won't we?" said my youngest, who had a
rather vivid sense of his own shortcomings, and kept them in the
minds of others as well.

"Why so, Bobsey?"

"'Cause mamma says that God put the first people in a garden and
they was very good, better'n any folks afterwards. God oughter know
the best place for people."

Thus Bobsey gave a kind of divine sanction to our project. Of course