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----- {{myantp174.png}} || My Antonia ||


to pay three dollars a week for Antonia's
services -- good wages in those days -- and
to keep her in shoes. There had been hot dis-
pute about the shoes, Mrs. Shimerda finally
saying persuasively that she would send Mrs.
Harling three fat geese every year to "make
even." Ambrosch was to bring his sister to
town next Saturday.

"She'll be awkward and rough at first, like
enough," grandmother said anxiously, "but
unless she's been spoiled by the hard life she's
led, she has it in her to be a real helpful girl."

Mrs. Harling laughed her quick, decided
laugh. "Oh, I'm not worrying, Mrs. Bur-
den! I can bring something out of that girl.
She's barely seventeen, not too old to learn
new ways. She's good-looking, too!" she
added warmly.

Frances turned to grandmother. "Oh, yes,
Mrs. Burden, you didn't tell us that! She
was working in the garden when we got there,
barefoot and ragged. But she has such fine
brown legs and arms, and splendid color in
her cheeks -- like those big dark red plums."

We were pleased at this praise. Grand-
mother spoke feelingly. "When she first came
to this country, Frances, and had that gen-


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