A Daughter of the Land

"I'll go," said Adam, "but it's awful early. It'll snow again.

Let me go after school Friday and stay over night. I'd like to go

and stay over night with Aunt Ollie. Grandma can't say anything

to me that I'll listen to. You keep Polly, and let me go alone.

Sure I can."

"All right," said Kate. "Spade the bed, and let it warm a day.

It will be good for it. But don't tell Polly you're going, or

she'll want to go along."

Until Friday night, Kate and Adam went around in such a daze of

deep thought that they stumbled, and ran against each other; then

came back to their affairs suddenly, looking at each other and

smiling understandingly. After one of these encounters Kate said

to the boy: "You may not arrive at anything, Adam, but I

certainly can't complain that you are not thinking."

Adam grinned: "I'm not so sure that I haven't got it," he said.

"Tell me quick and let me think, too" said Kate.

"But I can't tell you yet," said Adam. "I have to find out

something first."

Friday evening he wanted to put off his trip until Saturday

morning, so Kate agreed. She was surprised when he bathed and put

on his clean shirt and trousers, but said not a word. She had

made some study of child psychology, she thought making the trip

alone was of so much importance to Adam that he was dressing for

the occasion. She foresaw extra washing, yet she said nothing to

stop the lad. She waved good-bye to him, thinking how sturdy and

good looking he was, as he ran out of the front door. Kate was

beginning to be worried when Adam had not returned toward dusk

Sunday evening, and Polly was cross and fretful. Finally they saw

him coming down the ravine bank, carrying his small bundle of

sets. Kate felt a glow of relief; Polly ran to meet him. Kate

watched as they met and saw Adam take Polly's hand.

"If only they looked as much alike as some twins do, I'd be

thankful," said Kate.

Adam delivered the sets, said Aunt Ollie and Grandma were all

right, that it was an awful long walk, and he was tired. Kate

noticed that his feet were dust covered, but his clothes were so

clean she said to him: "You didn't fish much."

"I didn't fish any," said Adam, "not like I always fish," he

added.

"Had any time to THINK?" asked Kate.

"You just bet I did," said the boy. "I didn't waste a minute."

"Neither did I," said Kate. "I know exactly what the prettiest

lot in town can be sold for."

"Good!" cried Adam. "Fine!"

Monday Kate wanted to get up early and stick the sets, but Adam

insisted that Aunt Ollie said the sign would not be right until

Wednesday. If they were stuck on Monday or Tuesday, they would

all grow to top.