A Daughter of the Land

The remainder of the time before leaving, George Holt spent in the

very strongest mental and physical effort to show Kate how much of

a man he was. He succeeded in what he hoped he might do. He so

influenced her in his favour that during the coming year whenever

any one showed signs of criticising him, Kate stopped them by

commendation, based upon what she supposed to be knowledge of

him.

With the schoolhouse and grounds cleaned as they never had been

before, the parents and pupils naturally expected new methods.

During the week spent in becoming acquainted with the teacher, the

parents heartily endorsed her, while the pupils liked her

cordially. It could be seen at a glance that she could pick up

the brawniest of them, and drop him from the window, if she chose.

The days at the stream had taught them her physical strength,

while at the same time they had glimpses of her mental processes.

The boys learned many things: that they must not lie or take

anything which did not belong to them; that they must be

considerate and manly, if they were to be her friends; yet not one

word had been said on any of these subjects. As she spoke to

them, they answered her, and soon spoke in the same way to each

other. She was very careful about each statement she made, often

adducing convenient proof, so they saw that she was always right,

and never exaggerated. The first hour of this made the boys

think, the second they imitated, the third they instantly obeyed.

She started in to interest and educate these children; she sent

them home to investigate more subjects the first day than they had

ever carried home in any previous month. Boys suddenly began

asking their fathers about business; girls questioned their

mothers about marketing and housekeeping.

The week of Christmas vacation was going to be the hardest;

everyone expected the teacher to go home for the Holidays. Many

of them knew that her sister was marrying the new doctor of

Hartley. When Kate was wondering how she could possibly conceal

the rupture with her family, Robert Gray drove into Walden and

found her at the schoolhouse. She was so delighted to see him

that she made no attempt to conceal her joy. He had driven her

way for exercise and to pay her a call. When he realized from her

greeting how she had felt the separation from her family, he had

an idea that he at once propounded: "Kate, I have come to ask a

favour of you," he said.

"Granted!" laughed Kate. "Whatever can it be?"

"Just this! I want you to pack a few clothes, drive to Hartley

with me and do what you can to straighten out the house, so there

won't be such confusion when Nancy Ellen gets there."