A Daughter of the Land

After supper Nancy Ellen and Robert went home, while Kate and her

mother sat on the back porch and talked until Kate had a clear

understanding and a definite plan in her mind, which was that much

improvement over wearing herself out in bitter revilings, or

selfish rejoicing over her brothers' misfortune. Her mother

listened to all she had to say, asked a question occasionally,

objected to some things, and suggested others. They arose when

they had covered every contingency they could think of and went

upstairs to bed, even though the downstairs was cooler.

As she undressed, Mrs. Bates said slowly: "Now in the morning,

I'll speak my piece first; and I'll say it pretty plain. I got

the whip-hand here for once in my life. They can't rave and fight

here, and insult me again, as they did Friday night and Saturday

till you got here an' shut 'em up. I won't stand it, that's flat!

I'll tell 'em so, and that you speak for me, because you can

figure faster and express yourself plainer; but insist that there

be no fussing, an' I'll back you. I don't know just what life has

been doing to you, Katie, but Lord! it has made a fine woman of

you."

Kate set her lips in an even line and said nothing, but her heart

was the gladdest it had been in years.

Her mother continued: "Seems like Nancy Ellen had all the chance.

Most folks thought she was a lot the purtiest to start with,

though I can't say that I ever saw so much difference. She's had

leisure an' pettin', and her husband has made a mint o' money;

she's gone all over the country with him, and the more chance she

has, the narrower she grows, and the more discontenteder. One

thing, she is awful disappointed about havin' no children. I pity

her about that."

"Is it because she's a twin?" asked Kate.

"I'm afraid so," said Mrs. Bates. "You can't tell much about

those things, they just seem to happen. Robert and Nancy Ellen

feel awful bad about it. Still, she might do for others what she

would for her own. The Lord knows there are enough mighty nice

children in the world who need mothering. I want to see your

children, Katie. Are they nice little folks, straight and good

looking?"

"The boy is," said Kate. "The girl is good, with the exception of

being the most stubborn child I've ever seen. She looks so much

like a woman it almost sickens me to think of that I have to drive

myself to do her justice."

"What a pity!" said Mrs. Bates, slowly.

"Oh, they are healthy, happy youngsters," said Kate. "They get as

much as we ever did, and don't expect any more. I have yet to see

a demonstrative Bates."