A Daughter of the Land

Kate went with her mother, opened her bed, pulled out the pins,

and brushed her hair, drew the thin cover over her, and blew out

the light. Then she went past the bed on her way to the door, and

stooping, she kissed her mother for the first time since she could

remember.

Then she lighted a lamp, hunted a big sheet of wrapping paper, and

sitting down beside the living room table, she drew a rough sketch

of the house. For hours she pored over it, and when at last she

went to bed, on the reverse of the sheet she had a drawing that

was quite a different affair; yet it was the same house with very

few and easily made changes that a good contractor could

accomplish in a short time. In the morning, she showed these

ideas to her mother who approved all of them, but still showed

disappointment visibly.

"That's nothing but all the rest of them have," she said. "I

thought you could think up some frills that would be new, and

different."

"Well," said Kate, "would you want to go to the expense of setting

up a furnace in the cellar? It would make the whole house toasty

warm; it would keep the bathroom from freezing in cold weather;

and make a better way to heat the water."

"Now you're shouting!" cried Mrs. Bates. "That's it! But keep

still. Don't you tell a soul about it, but go on and do it,

Katie. Wade right in! What else can you think of?"

"A brain specialist for you," said Kate. "I think myself this is

enough for a start; but if you insist on more, there's a gas line

passing us out there on the road; we could hitch on for a very

reasonable sum, and do away with lamps and cooking with wood."

"Goody for you! That's it!" cried Mrs. Bates. "That's the very

thing! Now brush up your hair your prettiest, and put on your new

blue dress, and take the buggy, and you and Adam go see how much

of this can be started to-day. Me and Polly will keep house."

In a month all of these changes had been made, and were in running

order; the painting was finished, new furniture in place, a fair

start made on the garden, while a strong, young, hired man was not

far behind Hiram with his plowing. Kate was so tired she almost

staggered; but she was so happy she arose each morning refreshed,

and accomplished work enough for three average women before the

day was over. She suggested to her mother that she use her money

from the sale of the Walden home to pay for what furniture she had

bought, and then none of the others could feel that they were

entitled to any share in it, at any time. Mrs. Bates thought that

a good idea, so much ill will was saved among the children.