The hackman was obliging, for after delivering the mail and some
parcels, he took Kate to her home. While she waited for him, she
walked the ravine bank planning about the mill which was now so
sure that she might almost begin work. Surely she might as soon
as she finished figuring, for she had visited the Court House in
Hartley and found that George's deeds were legal, and in proper
shape. Her mind was filled with plans which this time must
succeed.
As she approached the house she could see the children playing in
the yard. It was the first time she ever had been away from them;
she wondered if they had missed her. She was amazed to find that
they were very decidedly disappointed to see her; but a few
pertinent questions developed the reason. Their grandmother had
come with her sister; she had spent her time teaching them that
their mother was cold, and hard, and abused them, by not treating
them as other children were treated. So far as Kate could see
they had broken every rule she had ever laid down for them: eaten
until their stomachs were out of order, and played in their better
clothing, until it never would be nice again, while Polly shouted
at her approach: "Give ME the oranges and candy. I want to
divide them."
"Silly," said Kate. "This is too soon. I've no money yet, it
will be a long time before I get any; but you shall each have an
orange, some candy, and new clothing when I do. Now run see what
big fish you can catch."
Satisfied, the children obeyed and ran to the creek. Aunt Ollie,
worried and angered, told Adam to tell his father that Mother was
home and for him to come and take her and grandmother to Walden at
once. She had not been able to keep Mrs. Holt from one steady
round of mischief; but she argued that her sister could do less,
with her on guard, than alone, so she had stayed and done her
best; but she knew how Kate would be annoyed, so she believed the
best course was to leave as quickly as possible. Kate walked into
the house, spoke to both women, and went to her room to change her
clothing. Before she had finished, she heard George's voice in
the house demanding: "Where's our millionaire lady? I want a
look at her."
Kate was very tired, slowly relaxing from intense nerve strain,
she was holding herself in check about the children. She took a
tighter grip, and vowed she would not give Mrs. Holt the
satisfaction of seeing her disturbed and provoked, if she killed
herself in the effort at self-control. She stepped toward the
door.
"Here," she called in a clear voice, the tone of which brought
George swiftly.