Since our mower is still in the shop, Lyman agreed to pay the young man who dropped by yesterday. He didn't come again last night, but turned up again this morning at 10:30.

When Lyman asked him how much he would charge to mow the lawn, he didn't state a price. "Pay me what you think it's worth," he said.

That's a risky proposition for a laborer, and one I wouldn't abide. But it might be the smart move in this case.

The lawn looks awfully bad.