A Daughter of the Land

"Whatever pleases her best, of course," said Kate. "Any

arrangement that you feel will make her happy, will be all right

with me; in the event we agree on other things."

He laughed, shortly.

"This sounds cold-blooded and business-like," he said. "But

Mother's been all the world to me, until I met you. I must be

sure about her, and one other thing. I'll write you about that

this week. If that is all right with you, you can get ready for a

deluge. I've held in as long as I can. Kate, will you kiss me

good-bye?"

"That's against the rules," said Kate. "That's getting the cart

before the horse."

"I know it," he said. "But haven't I been an example for six

weeks? Only one. Please?"

They were back at Dr. Gray's gate, standing in the deep shelter of

a big maple. Kate said: "I'll make a bargain with you. I'll

kiss you to-night, and if we come to an agreement next Sunday

night, you shall kiss me. Is that all right?"

The reply was so indistinct Kate was not sure of it; but she took

his face between her hands and gave him exactly the same kind of

kiss she would have given Adam, 3d. She hesitated an instant,

then gave him a second. "You may take that to your mother," she

said, and fled up the walk.