IN WHICH THE SUMMER PASSES

Midsummer arrived, and David, healed of his wounds, pronounced himself as “strong as a cricketer.” What he meant by that Hoyle could only conjecture, and, after much pondering, decided that his strength was now so great that should he desire to do so, he could leap into the air or jump long distances after the manner of crickets.

“You reckon you could jump as fer in one jump now as from here to t’other side the water trough yandah?” he asked one day, as they sat on the porch steps together.

“No, I don’t reckon so,” said David, laughing.

“Well, could you jump ovah this here house and the loom shed in one jump?”