SUMMER. 47

But the joy of bare feet is not altogether complete even in
summer. About half the time the boy goes with a limp. He has
hurt his toe, cut his heel, or met with some like mishap. There is
something always lying around for him to step on, and in the late
summer certain wicked burs ripen in the meadow that have hooks
to their prickles, that
hurt enough going in,
but are, oh, so much
worse pulling out!
The boy never likes to
walk on newly mown
land on account of
the stiff grass stubs
thatecOver itm yactale
can manage pretty well
by sliding his feet
along and making the
stubble lie flat when he
steps on it. However,

the gains of bare feet

 

certainly much more

than offset the losses,

Advising the hired boy.

to his mind; for he

can tramp and wade almost everywhere and in all kinds of weather,
with no fear of tearing his stockings, muddying his shoes, or “ get-
ting his feet wet.”

He appreciates this going barefoot most, perhaps, after a rain-