Kate read the joyful letter slowly. It contained all she hoped
for. She had not postponed Nancy Ellen's wedding. That was all
she asked. She had known she would not be forgiven so soon, there
was slight hope she ever would. Her only chance, thought Kate,
lay in marrying a farmer having about a thousand acres of land.
If she could do that, her father would let her come home again
sometime. She read the letter slowly over, then tearing it in
long strips she cross tore them and sifted the handful of small
bits on the water, where they started a dashing journey toward the
river. Mrs. Holt, narrowly watching her, turned with snaky
gleaming eyes to her son and whispered: "A-ha! Miss Smart Alec
has a secret!"