But I ai n't no lover of cats . They 're too much like the men to suit me . '' `` Cats have always been supposed to be peculiarly feminine , '' I said , descending . '' 'T was a man that supposed it , then , '' retorted Aunt Philippa , beckoning to her hired boy . `` Here , Jerry , put Prince away . Jerry 's a good sort of boy , '' she confided to me as we went into the house . `` I had Jim Spencer last summer and the only good thing about him was his appetite . I put up with him till harvest was in , and then one day my patience give out . He upsot a churnful of cream in the back yard -- and was just as cool as a cowcumber over it -- laughed and said it was good for the land . I told him I was n't in the habit of fertilizing my back yard with cream . But that 's the men for you . Come in . I 'll have tea ready in no time . I sot the table before I left . There 's lemon pie . Mrs. John Cantwell sent it over . I never make lemon pie myself . Ten years ago I took the prize for lemon pies at the county fair , and I 've never made any since for fear I 'd lose my reputation for them . '' * * * * * The first month of my stay passed not unpleasantly . The summer weather was delightful , and the sea air was certainly splendid .
Aunt Philippa 's little farm ran right down to the shore , and I spent much XXXXX my time there .
about ago as at before in into like of with