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THE SEVEN RUSSET
SHEAVES OF WHEAT

not by anybody ! And we're certainly not going to be threshed ! On your feet, sister sheaves ! Let's leave these soft-heads, these lazy-bones, they'll get what they deserve. We seven are meant for something better ! Come on, adventure is just around the corner!"
The six other russet sheaves rose and shook themselves and, full of enthusiasm, they set off behind their leader.
They marched South ... of course. To the North, as I said, there was nothing but the sea.
It was not long before the first desertion occurred.
The last in the line was getting very tired -she had flat feet-and so she very wisely turned round and went back to her old place in the field near the lighthouse.
" Goodness, I'm tired," she said. "How silly to walk when we can ride in a cart."
One gone !