A Daughter of the Land

"It will come out all right," said Nancy Ellen, serenely. "Kate

hasn't a particle of tact. She is Father himself, all over again.

It will come out this way: he will tell me that Kate has gone

back on him and I shall have to teach the school, and I will say

that is the ONLY solution and the BEST thing to do. Then I shall

talk all evening about how provoking it is, and how I hate to

change my plans, and say I am afraid I shall lose you if I have to

put off our wedding to teach the school, and things like that,"

Nancy Ellen turned a flushed sparkling face to Robert, smiling

quizzically, "and to-morrow I shall go early to see Serena

Woodruff, who is a fine scholar and a good teacher, but missed her

school in the spring by being so sick she was afraid to contract

for it. She is all right now, and she will be delighted to have

the school, and when I know she will take it then I shall just

happen to think of her in a day or two and I'll suggest her, after

I've wailed a lot more; and Father will go to see her of his own

accord, and it will all be settled as easy as falling off a chunk,

only I shall not get on so fast with my sewing, because of having

to help Mother; but I shall do my best, and everything will be all

right."

The spot was secluded. Robert Gray stopped to tell Nancy Ellen

what a wonderful girl she was. He said he was rather afraid of

such diplomacy. He foresaw clearly that he was going to be a

managed man. Nancy Ellen told him of course he was, all men were,

the thing was not to let them know it. Then they laughed and

listened to a wood robin singing out his little heart in an

evening song that was almost as melodious as his spring

performances had been.