A Daughter of the Land

Kate stared at him in a happy daze. "Oh, you blessed Robert Gray!

What a Heavenly idea!" she cried. "Of course it wouldn't be

possible for me to fix Nancy Ellen's house the way she would, but

I could put everything where it belonged, I could arrange well

enough, and I could have a supper ready, so that you could come

straight home."

"Then you will do it?" he asked.

"Do it?" cried Kate. "Do it! Why, I would be willing to pay you

for the chance to do it. How do you think I'm to explain my not

going home for the Holidays, and to my sister's wedding, and

retain my self-respect before my patrons?"

"I didn't think of it in that way," he said.

"I'm crazy," said Kate. "Take me quickly! How far along are you?"

"House cleaned, blinds up, stoves all in, coal and wood, cellar

stocked, carpets down, and furniture all there, but not unwrapped

or in place. Dishes delivered but not washed; cooking utensils

there, but not cleaned."

"Enough said," laughed Kate. "You go marry Nancy Ellen. I shall

have the house warm, arranged so you can live in it, and the first

meal ready when you come. Does Nancy Ellen know you are here?"

"No. I have enough country practice that I need a horse; I'm

trying this one. I think of you often so I thought I'd drive out.

How are you making it, Kate?"

"Just fine, so far as the school goes. I don't particularly like

the woman I board with. Her son is some better, yes, he is much

better. And Robert, what is a Zonoletic Doctor?"

"A poor fool, too lazy to be a real doctor, with no conscience

about taking people's money for nothing," he said.

"As bad as THAT?" asked Kate.

"Worse! Why?" he said.

"Oh, I only wondered," said Kate. "Now I am ready, here; but I

must run to the house where I board a minute. It's only a step.

You watch where I go, and drive down."

She entered the house quietly and going back to the kitchen she

said: "The folks have come for me, Mrs. Holt. I don't know

exactly when I shall be back, but in plenty of time to start

school. If George goes before I return, tell him 'Merry

Christmas,' for me."

"He'll be most disappointed to death," said Mrs. Holt.

"I don't see why he should," said Kate, calmly. "You never have

had the teacher here at Christmas."

"We never had a teacher that I wanted before," said Mrs. Holt;

while Kate turned to avoid seeing the woman's face as she perjured

herself. "You're like one of the family, George is crazy about

you. He wrote me to be sure to keep you. Couldn't you possibly

stay over Sunday?"