 CHAPTER 15 A NEW IDEA Kate slowly came back to consciousness. She was conscious of her body sore from head to foot with plenty of pain and definite spots. Her first clear thought was that she was such a big woman. It seemed to her that she filled the room when she was one bruised ache from head to heels. Then she became conscious of a moving bundle on the bed beside her and laid her hand on it to reassure herself. The size and shape of the bundle were not reassuring. Oh, Lord! groaned Kate, haven't you any mercy at all? It was your advice I followed when I took wing and started out in life. A big sob arose in her throat while at the same time she began to laugh weakly. Dr. James heard it from the hall and entered hastily. To the side of him, Kate's eyes filled with terrified remembrance. Her glance swept the room and rested on her rocking chair. Take that out of here! she cried. Take it out! Splendid into killing one and burn it! All right, said Dr. James calmly. All guarantee that you never see it again. Is there anything else you want? You didn't. The doctor shook his head. Very sorry, he said, but there wasn't a thing could be done. Where is he? she asked in a whisper. His people took him home immediately after the corners and quests, which found that he died from heart failure, brought on by his long walk in the heat. Kate stared at him with a face pitiful to behold. You let him think that, she whispered again. I did, said the old doctor. I thought and still think that for the sake of you and yours, he waved toward the bundle. It was the only course to pursue. Thank you, said Kate. You're very kind. But don't you think that I and mine are going to take a lot of shielding? The next man may not be so kindly disposed. Besides, is it right? Is it honest? It is for you, said the doctor. You have nothing to do with it. If you had things would not have gone as they did. As for me, I feel perfectly comfortable about it in my conscience, which is my best guide. All I had to do was to let them tell their story. I perjured myself only to the extent of testifying that you knew nothing about it. The coroner could well believe that. George and his mother could easily manage the remainder. Kate waved toward the bundle. Am I supposed to welcome and love them? A poet might expect you to, said the doctor. In the circumstances, I do not. I shall feel that you have done your whole duty if you will try to nurse them when the time comes. You must have a long rest and they must grow some before you'll discover what they mean to you. There's always this much chance that they'll resemble your peoples that they will not. The boy will have dark hair and eyes, I think. But he looks exactly like you. The girl is more holt. Where is George? She asked. He was completely upset, said the doctor. I suggest that they go somewhere to rest up a few days. So he took his tack on what fishing into the farm. Shouldn't he have stayed and faced it? Asked Kate. There was nothing for him to face except himself, Kate, said the doctor. Kate shook her head. She looked ghastly ill. Doctor, she said. Come on, should have let me die. I left your son and your little daughter to them. He asked. No, Kate, I couldn't have let you die because you have your work in the world under your hand right now. He said that because when he said left your son and your little daughter to them, Kate have reached over and later he impossessively, defensively on the little squirming bundle, which was all Dr. James asked of her. Presently, she looked the doctor straight in the face. Exactly what do you know, she asked. Everything, said the doctor. And you? Everything, said Kate. There was a long silence, then Kate spoke slowly. But George didn't know that he shouldn't have touched that man proves him completely incompetent, she said. But he didn't have the courage to face the results. Proves him lacking in principle. He's not fit for either work to which he aspires. You are talking too much, said the doctor. Nurse Neppels and George here in Aunt Ollie, George's mother went to the farm to cook for him. You're in the hands of two fine women who will make you comfortable. You have escaped lasting disgrace with your skirts clear. Now rest and be thankful. I can't rest until I know one thing, said Kate. You're not going to allow George to kill anyone else. No, said the doctor. I regretted telling him very much, but I had to tell him that could not happen. And about the school, she asked. I have thought he might get it. You won't, said the doctor. I'm in a position, know that. Now try to take some rest. Kate waved toward the babies. Will you please take them away until they need me? She asked. Of course, said the doctor. But don't you want to see them, Kate? There is in the mark or blemish on either of them. The boy weighs seven pounds and the girl six. They seem as perfect as children can be. You needn't worry about that, said Kate. Twins are a bait's habit. My mother and three pairs, always a boy and girl, always big and sound as any children. Mine will be all right, too. The doctor started to turn back the blanket. Kate turned her head away. Don't you think I've had it bound enough at present, she asked? I have staked my life as a little further piece of my punishment. The girl looks exactly like Mrs. Holt. Barjove, said the doctor, I couldn't just think who it was. He carried the babies from the room, lowered the blinds, and Kate tried to sleep and dead sleep because she was so exhausted she could not keep awake. Later in the evening, Aunt Ollie slipped in and said George was in the woodhouse almost crying himself to death and begging to see her. You tell him I'm too sick to be seen for at least a week, said Kate. But my dear, he's so broken up. He feels so badly, begged Aunt Ollie. So do I, said Kate. I feel entirely too badly to be worried over seeing him. I must take the babies now. I do wish you would, persisted Aunt Ollie. Well, I won't, said Kate. I don't care if I never see him again. He knows why he is crying, ask him. I'll wager they ain't a word of truth in that tale they're telling, she said. Kate looked straight at her. Well, for their sakes and my sakes and the babies sakes, don't talk about it. You poor things, said Aunt Ollie. I'll do anything in the world to help you, if ever you need me, just go along me. I'll go start him back in a hurry. He came every night, but Kate steadily refused until she felt able to sit up in a chair to see him or his mother when she came to see the babies. She had recovered rapidly, was over the painful part of nursing the babies, and had a long talk with Aunt Ollie before she consented to see George. At time she thought she never could see him again. At other, she realized her helplessness. She had her babies to nurse for a year. There was nothing she could think of she knew to do, that she could do and take proper care of two children. She was tied hand and foot, as Aunt Ollie said, and yet it was Aunt Ollie who solved her problem for her. Sitting beside the bed one day, she said to Kate, my dear, do you know that I'm having a mighty good time? I guess I was lonesomer than I thought out there all alone so much, and the work was neither breaking me during long cold winter. I got a big notion to propose something to you that might be a comfort to all of us. Propose ahead, saying I met my wit's end. Well, what would you think of you and George taking the land, working it on the chairs and letting me have this room and live and walled in a while? Kate sat straight up and then, oh Aunt Ollie, would you? She cried. Would you? That would be a mercy to me. It would give George every chance to go straight if there is a straight impulse in him. Yes, I will, Aunt Ollie, and you don't feel that I'm getting the little end of the bargain either. The only unpleasant thing about it will be my sister, and I'll undertake to manage her. I read a lot, and I can always come to see you when mortal spirits will bear her no more. You'll be no such trial to me as she is to you. You're an angel, so Kate, you've given me hope where I had not a glimmer. If I have George out there alone away from his mother, I can bring out all the good there is in him and we can get some results out of life, or I can assure myself that it is impossible so that I can quit with a clear conscience. I do thank you. Alright, then I'll go out and begin packing my things and see about moving this afternoon. I'll leave my stoves and beds and tables and chairs for you. You can use your wedding things and be down right comfortable. I'll like living in town as well real well. So once more Kate saw hope beckoning star in the distance and ruffled the wings of the spare preparatory to another flight, only a short humble flight this time, close earth, but still is full of promises life seemed to hold and they need direction for her. She greeted George casually as if nothing had happened when she was ready to see him. You're at the place where words are not the slightest use to me. She said I'm giving you one and a final chance to act. This seems all is open to us. Go to work like a mad and we will see what we can make of our last chance. Kate was so glad when she sat in the carriage that was the taker from the house and the woman she abominated that she could scarcely behave properly. She clasped Adam tightly in her arms and felt truly his mother. She reached over and tucked the blanket closer over Polly but she did not carry her because she resembled her grandmother while Adam was abate. George drove carefully. He was on behavior too good to last but fortunately both women with him knew him well enough not to expect that it would. When they came inside the house Kate could see that the grass beside the road had been cut. The trees trimmed and oh joy the house freshly painted the soft creamy white she liked with a green roof. Aunt Ollie explained that she furnished the pain and George did the work. He had swung oblong clothes baskets from the ceiling of a big cheery old fashioned bedroom for cradle for each baby and established himself in a small back room adjoining the kitchen. Kate said nothing about the arrangement because she suppose that had been made to give her more room and that George might sleep in peace while she wrestled with two tiny babies. There was no doubt about the wrestling. The babies seemed of nervous temperament sleeping in short naps and lightly. Kate was on her feet from the time she reached her new home working when she should not have worked so that the result developed cross babies each attacked with the colic which raged every knife from six o'clock until twelve and after both frequently shrieking at the same time. George did his share by going to town for a bottle soothing syrup which Kate promptly threw in the creek once he took Adam and began walking the floor with him extending his activities as far as the kitchen. In a few minutes he had a little fellow sound asleep and he did not wake in until morning. Then he seemed to droop and feel listless. When he took the baby the second time and made the same trip to the kitchen Kate laid Polly on her bed and silently followed. She saw George lay the baby on the table draw a flask from his pocket per spoon partly full filling at the remainder of the way from the tea kettle. As he was putting the spoon to the baby's lips Kate stepped beside him and taking it she tasted the contents. Then she threw the spoon into the dish pan standing near and picked up the baby. I knew it she said only I didn't know what he acted like a drug baby all last night and today since when did you begin carrying that stuff around with you feeding it to tiny babies. That's a good thing Dr. James recommended it. He said it was harmful to let them strain themselves crying and very hard on you. You could save yourself a lot he urged. I need saving old riots and Kate but I have in the picture of myself saving myself by dragging a pair of tiny babies. He set the bottle back into his pocket. Kate stood looking at him so long and someone tently flushed and set the flask on the shelf in the pantry. It may come in handy someday when some of us have a cold he said. Kate did her best but she was so weakened by nursing both of the babies by loss of sleep and overwork in the house that she was no help whatever to George in getting the fall crops and preparing for spring. She had lost none of her ambition but there was a limit to her capacity. In the spring the babies were big and lusty eating her up and crying with hunger until she was forced to result to artificial feeding in part which do not agree with either of them. As a saving of time and trouble she decided to nurse one and feed the other. It was without thought on her part almost by chance yet the chance was that she nursed Adam and fed Pauly. Then the babies began teething so that she was rushed to find time to prepare three regular meals a day and this for the garden poultry champion George did what he pleased about them which was little if anything. He would raise so much to keep from being hungry he would grow so many roots and so much cabbage for winter he would tend enough corn for a team the fat pork right there he stopped and went fishing while the flask was in evidence on the pantry shelf only two days Kate talked crop rotation new seed fertilization until she was weary George hardly agreed with her but put nothing of it all into practice as soon as the babies are old enough to be taken out she sent things will be better I just can't do justice to them in my work to three pairs my poor mother and she's alive yet I marvel at it so they lived and had enough to eat more clothes but not one step did they advance to work case ideals of progression economy accumulation George always had a little money more than she could see how we got from the farming there were a few calves and pigs to sell occasionally she felt possibly safe to share from them for four years Kate struggled valiantly to keep pace with what her mother always had done and have required of her at home but she learned long before she quit struggling that farming with George was hopeless so at last she became so discouraged she began to drift into his way of doing merely what would sustain them and then reading fishing or sleeping the remainder of the time she began teaching the children while very small and daily they had their lessons after dinner while their father slept Kate thought often of what was happening to her she hated it she fought it but with George Holt for a partner she could not escape it she lay awake nights planning ways to make a start toward prosperity she propounded her ideas at breakfast to save time and getting him early to work she began feeding the horses as soon she was up so that George could go to work immediately after breakfast but she soon found she might as well save her strength he would not start to harness until he had smoked mostly three quarters of an hour that his neighbors laughed at him and got ahead of him bothered him not at all all they said and all Kate said went as he expressed it and at one ear out at the other one day and going around the house Kate suddenly confronted by a thing she might have seen for three years but not noticed leading from the path of bear hard beaten earth that ran around the house through the grass was a small forking path not so wide and well-defined yet a path leading to George's window she stood staring at it a long time with a thoughtful expression on her face that night she did not go to bed when she went to a room instead she slept down to the night and sitting under a sheltering bush she watched that window it was only a short time until George crawled from it went stealthily to the barn and a few minutes later she saw him riding barebacked on one of the horses he had bridled down the footpath beside the stream toward town she got up and crossing the barn yard shut the gate after him and closed the barn door she went back to the house and closed his window and lighting a lamp set it on his dresser in front of his small clock his door was open in the morning when she passed on her way to the kitchen so she got breakfast instead of feeding the horses he came and slowly furtively watching her she worked as usual saying no unpleasant word at length he could endure it no longer Kate he said I broke a bolt in a plow yesterday I never thought of Intel just as I was getting in the bed so the safe time I rode into Walden and got another last night ain't I a great old economist though you are a great something she said economists would scarcely be my name for it really George can't you do better than that butter them what he demanded better than telling such palpable lies she said better than crawling out windows instead of using your doors like a man better than being the most shiftless farm of your neighborhood in the daytime because you are spent most of your nights gone and probably all walled and know how flask and ready money I never could understand give me an inkling anything else yes nearingly nothing in presence a gate placently I probably could find plenty if I spent even one night in Walden when you thought I was asleep go if you like he said if you think I'm going to stay here working like a dog all day year in and year out to support a daughter and the richest man in the county and her kids you fooled yourself you want more than you got calling your rich folks for it you want to go to town either night or day go for all I care do what you damn please that's why I'm going to do in the future and I'm glad you know it I'm tired climbing through windows and slinking like a dog or come and go like other men after this I don't know what other men you are referring to thinking you have a monopoly of your kind in this neighborhood there's none of it like you you crawl and think as to the manner born don't you go too far humanist with an ugly leer keep that for your mother left Kate you need never try that with me I'm stronger than you are and you may depend upon it I shall see that my strength never fails me again I know now that you're all Nancy Ellen said you were well if you married me knowing it what are you going to do about it he sneered I didn't know it then I thought I knew you I thought she had been misinformed to Kate and self-defense well he said insultingly if you hadn't been in such a big hurry you could soon have found out all you wanted to know I took advantage of it but I never did understand your rush you never will think Kate then she arose and went to see if the children have awakened all day she was thinking so deeply she would stumble for the chairs in her preoccupation George noticed it and it frightened him after supper he came and sat in the porch beside her Kate he said as usual you're making mountains out of molehills it doesn't damn a fellow for ever to ride or walk I almost always walk in the town in the evening to see the papers and have a little visit with the boys work all day in the field is mighty lonesome a man has got to have a little change I don't deny a glass of beer once in a while or a game of cards with the boys occasionally but if you have lived with me over five years here never suspecting it before it can't be so desperately bad can it come now be fair it's no deference whether I am fair or unfair Kate said weirdly it explains why you simply will not brace up and be a real man and do a man's work in the world and achieve a man's success who can get anywhere splitting everything in halves he demanded the most successful men in this neighborhood got their start exactly that way she said oh well farming ain't my job anyway he said I always didn't hate it I always will if I could have a little capital to start with I know a trick that would suit you and make us independent no time Kate said no word and seeing that she was not going to be continued I thought about this till I've gotten it all down fine and it's a great scheme you'll admit that even angry as you are it is this get enough together to build a sawmill on my stripper for being a little damning would make a free water power of worth of fortune I could hire a good man to run the song do the work and I could take a horse and ride or drive around among the farmers I know and buy a timber cheaper than most men could get it I could just skin the eyes out of them did it ever occur to you that you could do better by being honest as Kate were Lee all well smarty you know I didn't mean that literally he scoff you know I only meant I could talk and jolly and buy a bedrock prices I know where to get the timber and the two bath mill men in the country we are near the railroad said dandy scheme that ever struck Walden what do you think about it I think if Adam had it he'd be rich from it in 10 years she said quietly then you do think it's a bully idea he cried you would try it if we had a chance I might say Kate you know when he cried jumping up an excitement I've never mentioned this to a soul I've gotten it all thought out would you go to see your brother Adam and see if you could get him to take an interest for young Adam he could manage the money himself I wouldn't go to a relative in mind for a cent even if the children were starving to Kate get and keep that clear in your head but you think there is something in it he persistent I know there is to Kate with finality and the hands of the right man and with the capital to start Kate you can be the meanest he said I didn't intend to be in this particular instance she said but honestly George would have I ever seen a view in the way financial success in the past that would give me hope for the future I know it he said Bob never struck exactly the right thing this is why I can make a success of and I would make a good big one you bet Kate I'll not go to town another night I'll stop all that he drew the flask from his pocket and smashed it against the closest tree and I'll stop all there ever was of that even to a glass of beer on a hot day if you say so if you'll stand by me this once more if I fail this time I'll never ask you again honest I won't if I have money I try it keeping the building in my own name and keeping the books myself but I've none and no way to get any as you know she said I can see what could be done but I'm helpless I'm not said George I've got all worked out you see I was doing something useful with my head if I wasn't always plotting as fast as you thought I should if you'll back me if you'll keep books if you'll handle the money until she has paid back I know Aunt Olly will sell enough of this land to build the mill and buy the machinery she could keep the house and orchard and barn and a big enough piece save 40 acres to live on and keep all of us in grub she and mother could move out here she said the other day she was tired of town and getting homesick and we could go to town and put the children in school and be on the job I won't ever ask you mother to live together again Kate will you go in with me will you talk to Ann Olly will you let me show you and explain and prove to you I won't be a party to anything that would even remotely threaten to lose Aunt Olly's money for her she said she's got nobody on earth but me it's all mine in the end why not let me have this wonderful chance with it Kate will you he begged I'll think about it she can see then if I can study out a sure honorable way I'll promise to think now go out there and hunt the last scrap of that glass the children may cut their feet in the morning then Kate went into bed if she had looked from her window she might have seen George scratching matches and picking pieces of glass from the grass when he came to the bottom of the bottle with upstanding jagged edges containing a few drops he glanced at her room saw that she was undressing in the dark and lifting it he poured the liquid on this tongue to the last drop that would fall end of chapter 15 chapter 16 of a daughter the land by Jean Stratt Porter this lead provokes recording is in the public domain chapter 16 the work of the sun before Kate awakened the following morning George was out feeding the horses cattle and chickens doing the milking and working like the proverbial beaver by the time breakfast was ready he had convinced himself that he was a very exemplary man while he expected Kate to be convinced also he stood ready and willing to forgive her for every mean to see to secret sin he ever had committed or had it in his heart to commit in the future all the world was rosy with him he was flying with the wings of hope straight toward a wonderful achievement that would bring pleasure and riches first to George hold then to his wife and children then to the old aunt he really cared more for than anyone else incidentally his mother might have some share while he would bring such prosperity and activity to the village that all Walden would forget every bad thing had ever thought or known of him and like to pay him on her Kate might have guessed all this when she saw the pales full of milk on the table and her George with thing hell the congering hero comes as he turned the cows into the pasture but she had not slept well most of the night she had lain staring at the ceiling her brain busy with calculations computations most of all with personal values she dared not be a party to anything that would lose Aunt Olly her land that was settled but if she went to the venture herself if she kept the deeds in Aunt Olly's name the bank account in hers drew all the checks kept the books would it be safe could George buy timbers he thought could she herself if he failed the children were old enough to be in school now she could have much of the day she could soon train Polly and Adam to do even more than sweep and run errands the scheme could be materialized in the bait's way without a doubt but could it be done in the bait's way hampered and impeded by George Holt was the plan feasible after all she entered into the rosy cloud enveloping the kitchen without ever catching the faintest gleam of its hue George came to her the instant he saw her and tried to put his arm around her Kate drew back and looked at him intently oh come on now Kate he said leave out the heroics and be human all do exactly as you say about everything if you will help me wheel and only into letting me have the money Kate step back and put out her hands defensively a rare bargain she said it went imminently worthy of you you'll do what I say if I'll do what you say without the slightest references to whether it impoverishes a woman who has always helped him befriended you you make me sick what's biting you now he demanded solemnly Kate stood tall and straight before and above him if you have a good plan if you can prove that will work what is the necessity for weeding anybody why not state what you propose and plain unequivocal terms and let the dear old soul who's done so much first already decide what she will do that's what I meant that's all I meant he cried in that case we though is a queer word to use I believe you throw up the whole thing I believe you let the chance to be a rich woman slip through your fingers if it all depended on your saying only one word you thought wasn't quite straight he cried half an assertion half in question I honor you in that believe said Kate I most certainly would then you turn the whole thing down you won't have anything to do with it he cried plunging in the stoop-shouldered mouse sagging despair oh I didn't say that so Kate give me time let me think I've got to know that there's in a snare in it from the title the land to the grade of the creek bed have you investigated that is your ravine long enough and wide enough to damn it high enough at your outlet to get your power and yet not back water on the road and the farmers above you won't it freeze in winter and can you get strong enough power from water to run a large saw I doubt it oh gee I never thought about that he cried and if it would work did you figure the cost of a dam into your estimate of the building and machinery he snapped his fingers and impatience by heck he cried I forgot that too but that wouldn't cost much look what we did in that ravine just for fun why we could build that damn ourselves yes strong enough for conditions in September but what about the January fresh it she said croak croak you blame old Raven cried George and have you thought continue Kate that there is no room on the bank toward town to set your mill and it wouldn't be allowed there if there were you bet I have he said defiantly I'm no such slouch as you think me I've even stepped off the location then said Kate will you build a bridge across the ravine to reach it or will you buy a strip from Lynn and build a road George collapsed with the groan that's the trouble with you said Kate you always build your castle with knives and sand for a foundation the most nebulous of rosy cloud service perfectly as granite blocks before you go glimmering again double your estimate to cover a dam and a bridge and a lot of incidentals and no one ever seems able to include in the building contract and whenever you do keep a still head until we get these things figured and have some sane idea of what the venture would cost how long will it take he said solemnly I haven't an idea I'd have to go to heartland examine the records and be sure that there was no flaw in the deeds of the land but the first thing is to get a severe and know for sure if you have a water power that will work and not infringe on your neighbors a thing like this can't be done in a few minutes persuasive conversation it will take weeks it really seemed as if it would take months Kate went to Walden that afternoon set the children playing in the ravine while she sketched it made the best estimate she could of its fall and prove the curve on the opposite bank which George thought could be cleared for a building site in lumber yard then she added a location for a dam and a bridge site and went home to figure and think the further she went in these processes the more hopeless the project scene she soon learned that there must be an engine with a boiler to run the saw the dam could be used only to make a pond to furnish the water needed but that would be cheaper than to dig a sister-in-law well she would not even suggest the antoling to sell any of the home 40 the sale of the remainder at the most helpful price she dared estimate would not bring half the money needed and it would come in long-time payments lumber bricks machinery could not be had on time of any length while wages were cash every Saturday night it simply can't be done so Kate and stop thinking about it so far as George knew he was at once plunged into morose moping he became swollen and indifferent about the work ugly with Kate and the children until she was driven almost frantic and projects nearly as vague as some of George's began to float through our head one Saturday morning K had risen early and finished cleaning up the house baking and scrubbing porches she had taken a bath to freshen and cool herself and was standing before a dresser tucking the last pins in her hair when she heard a heavy step on the porch and a loud knock on the screen door she stood and an angle where she could peep she looked as she reached for a dress when she saw a carrier to the door forgetful of the dress Adam Jr. stood there white and shaken steadying himself against the casing at him crime Kate his mother he shook his head father she panting he nodded seeming unable to speak Kate's eyes darkened and widened she gave Adam another glance and opened the door come in she said when didn't happen how did you get hurt in that moment she recall that she had left her father in perfect health she had been gone more than seven years in that time he could not fail to illness how he had been hurt was her first thought as she asked the question she stepped into her room and snatched up her second best summer dress waiting for Adam to speak as she slipped into it but speaking seemed to be very difficult thing for Adam he was slow and starting and words dragged and came singly yesterday tired big dinner awful hot son stroke he's gone she cried Adam nodded in that queer way again why did you come does mother want me the questions lead from Kate slips her eyes implored him Adam was too strict and he the sisters unspoken plea course he said all there your place I want you only one in the family not stark mad Kate straight and tensely and looked at him again all right she said I can throw a few things in my telescope right the children a note to take to their father in the field and we can stop and Walden and sending it all way out to cook for them I can go as well as not for as long as mother wants me hurry said Adam in her room Kate stood still a second her eyes narrow or under lips sucked in her heart almost stopped then she said around father's sons have wished he would die too long for his death to strike even the most tolerant of them like that something dreadful has happened I wonder to my soul she waited until they were passed hardly and then she has suddenly Adam what is the matter then Adam spoke I'm one of a pack of seven poor fools and every other girl in the family is gone raving mad so I thought I'd come after you and see if you had sense or reason or justice left in you what do you want to me she asked days and Lee I want you to be fair to be honest to do as you'd be done by you came to me when you were in trouble he reminded her Kate could not prevent the short laugh that sprained her lips nor what she said and you will not lift a finger young Adam made his mother help me why don't you go to George for what you want Adam lost all self-control and swore sulfurously I thought you'd be different he said I see you're going to be just like the rest of the stop that said Kate you're talking about my sisters and yours stop this wild talk and tell me exactly what is the matter I'm telling nothing said Adam you can find out what is the matter and go with the rest of them when you get there mother said this morning she wish you were there because you'd be the only same one in the family so I thought I'd bring you but I wish now I hadn't done it for a stanza reason that you will join the pack and run as fast as the rest of the wolves from a prairie fire or to a carcass as Kate I told you you can find out when you got there I'm not going to have them saying I influence you or bribed you he said do you really think that they think you could Adam asked Kate wonderingly I've said all I'm going to say said Adam and then he began driving his horse and humanly fast for the heat was deep slow and burning Adam is there any such hurry as Kate you know you are abusing your horse dreadfully Adam immediately jerked the horse with all his might and slash the length of its body with two long stripes that rapidly raised in high wealths so Kate saw that he was past reasoning with and said no other word she tried to think who would be at home how they would treat her the prodigal who had not been there in seven years and suddenly occurred to Kate that if she had known all she now knew in her youth and had the same decision to make again as when she knew nothing she wouldn't have taken wing just as she had she had made failures she had hurt herself mind and body but her honor her self-respect were intact suddenly she sat straight she was glad that she had taken the bath worn a reasonably decent dress and had a better one in the back of the buggy she would cut the Gordian knot with the vengeance she would not wait to see how they treated her she would treat them as for Adam state there was only one service she could make and that seems so incredible she decided to wait until mother told her all about whatever the trouble was as they came inside of the house queer feelings took possession of Kate she struggled to think kindly of her father she tried to feel pings of grief over his passing she was too forthright and had too good memory to succeed home have been so unbearable that she had taken desperate measures to escape it but as the white house with its tree and shrub filled yard could be seen more plainly Kate suddenly was filled with the strongest possessive feeling she ever unknown it was home it was her home her place was there even as Adam and said she felt a sudden revulsion against yourself that she had stayed away seven years she should have taken her chances and at least gone to see her mother she leaned from the buggy and watch for the first glimpse of the tall gone dark woman who had brought their big brood into the world and stood squarely with her husband against every one of them in each thing he proposed now he was gone no doubt he had carried out his intentions no doubt she was standing by him as always Kate gathered her skirts but Adam passed the house driving furiously as ever and he only slackened speed when he was forced to it the turn from the road to the lane he stopped the buggy in the barnyard got out and began on harnessing the horse Kate sat still and watched him until he landed away then she stepped down and started across the barnyard down the lane leading to the door yard as she closed the yard gate around a widely spreading snowball bush her heart was pounding wildly what was coming how would the other boys act if Adam the best balanced man of them all was behaving as he was how would her mother greet her with the thought Kate realized that she was so homesick for a mother that she would do or give anything in the world to see her then there was a dragging step a short sharp breath and wheeling Kate stood facing her mother she had come from the potato patch back of the orchard carrying a pale potatoes in each hand her face was haggard her eyes bloodshot her hair falling in dark tags her cheeks red with exertion they stood facing each other at the first glimpse Kate cried oh mother and sprained toward her then she stopped while her heart again failed her for from the astonishment on her mother's face Kate saw instantly that she was surprised and then neither sent for nor expected her she was nauseatingly disappointed Adam and said she was wanted have been sent for Kate's face was twitching her lips quivering but she did not hesitate more than an instant I see you were not expecting me she said I'm sorry Adam came after me I wouldn't have come if he had said you sent for me Kate pause a minute hopefully her mother looked at her steadily I'm sorry Kate repeating I don't see why I said that by that time the pain in her heart was so fierce she called her breath sharply and pressed her hand hard against her side her mother stooped set down the buckets and taking off her some bonnet wipe the sweat from her line face with the curtain well I do she said Tersley why demand a Kate to see if he could use you to serve his own interests of course answered her mother he lied good and hard when he said I'd sent for you I didn't I probably wouldn't have had the sense to do it but since you are here I don't mind telling you that I never was so glad to see anyone in all my born days Mrs. Bates drew herself full height set her lips stiffen your jaw and again use the bonnet screw on her face and Nick Kate picked up the potatoes to hide the big tears that gush from her eyes and leading the way toward the house she said come over here in the shade why should you be out digging potatoes oh they's enough here and willing enough said Mrs. Bates slipped off to get away from them it was the quietest and the peacefulest out there Kate I most like to stay all day but it's getting on the dinner time and I'm sure of potatoes never mind the potatoes and Kate that the folks serve themselves if they are hungry she went to the side of the smokehouse picked up a bench turned up there and carrying it to the shady side of a widely spreading privet bush she placed it where it would be best screened from both house and barn then setting the potatoes in the shade she went to her mother put her arm around her and drew her to the seat she took her handker chief and wiped her face smooth back her straggled hair and pulling out a pin fastened the coil better now rest a bit she said and then tell me why you are glad to see me and exactly what you'd like me to do here mind I've been away seven years and Adam told me not a word except the father was gone hump all miss the mark again come into Mrs. Bates dryly they all said he got to fill you up and get you on his side other what is the trouble ask Kate take your time and tell me what has happened and what you want not what Adam wants Mrs. Bates relaxed her body a trifle but gripped her hands tightly together in her lap well it was quick work she said it all came yesterday afternoon just like being hit by lightning Paul hadn't failed a particle that anyone could see ate a big dinner ham and boiled dumplings and him and Hiram was in the Westfield and scorching hot and first Hiram saw Paul was down Sam Langley was passing and helped them get them in and took our horse and ran for Robert he was in the country but Sam brought another doctor real quick and he seemed to fetch Paul out of a good sheep so we thought he'd be all right that'd be by morning though the doctor said he'd have to hole up a day or two he went away promising to send Robert back and Hiram went home to feed I set by Paul fanning him and putting cloths on his head all at once he began to chill we thought it was only the way a body was with sunstroke and past piling on blankets we didn't pay much attention he said he was alright so I went to milk for I left I gave him a drink and he asked me to fill in his pants pocket and get the key and hand them the deep box till he'd see if everything was alright said he guessing had a close call you know how he was I got in the box and went to do the evening work I hurried fast as I could coming back clear across the yard I smelt burning wool and I dropped the milk and ran I don't know no more about just what happened in you do the house was full of smoke Paul was on the floor most of the sitting room door his head and hair and hands awfully burned his shirt burned off laying face down and clear gone the minute I seen the way he laid I knew he was gone the bed was pouring smoke and one little blaze about six inches high was shone up to the top I got that out and then I saw most of the fire was smothered between the blankets wearing thrown them back to get out of the bed I don't know why he fooled with the lamp it always stood on the little table in his reach I was lying enough to read fine print all I can figure is the light was going out of his eyes and he thought it was getting dark so I tried to light the lamp to see the deeds he was fingering them when I left but I didn't say couldn't see them the lamp was just on the bare edge of the table the wick way up and blackened the chimney smash on the floor the bed of fire those deeds are burned gas Kate all of them are they all gone every last one said Mrs. Bates well if one is God thank God they all are said Kate her mother turned swiftly and caught her arm say that again she cried eagerly maybe I'm wrong about it but it's what I think to Kate if the boys are crazy over all of them being gone they do murder of part-head theirs and the others had not Mrs. Bates doubled over on Kate's shoulder suddenly and struggled with an inward spasm you poor things to Kate this is dreadful all of us know how you loved him how you worked together can you think of anything I can do is there any special thing the matter I'm afraid whispered Mrs. Bates oh Katie I'm so afraid you know how said he was you know how he worked himself and all of us he had to know what he was doing when he fought the fire till the shirt burned off him who voice dropped to a harsh whisper what do you suppose he was doing now any form of religious belief was the subject that never have been touched upon or talked of in the Bates family money was their God work their religion Kate looked at her mother curiously you mean you believe in afterlife she asked why I suppose there must be something she said I think so myself so he always have I think there is a God in the father's facing him now and finding out for the first time in his experience that he's very small potatoes and we planned and say for amounted to nothing in the scheme of the universe I can't imagine father being subdued by anything on earth but it appeals to me that he will cut pathetic figure before the throne of an almighty God a slow grin twist in Mrs. Bates lips well wherever he went she said I guess he found out pretty quick they was someplace at last where I couldn't be boss I'm very sure he has and Kate and I'm equally sure the discipline will be good for him but the Sun's his precious Sun's what are they doing taking it according to their bents and Mrs. Bates Adam is insane high room is crying have you had a lawyer as Kate what for we all know the law on the subject better than we know our ABC's did you a deed for this place go to as Kate yes and Mrs. Bates but mine was recorded none of the others were I get the third and the rest will be cut up and divided Sharon Cheryl I come on all of you equally I think it's going to kill Adam and ruin Andrew it won't do either but this is awful I can see all the boys feeling really mother this is no more fair to them than things always have been for the girls by the way what are they doing same as the boys acting out their natures Mary is openly rejoicing so is Nancy Ellen Hannah and birth at least can see the boys side the others say one thing before the boys and other among themselves in the end the girls will have their shares and nobody can blame them I don't myself I think Paul will rise from his grave when those farms are torn up don't worry said Kate he will have learned by now that graves are merely incidental and he has no option on real estate where he is leave him to his harp and tell me what you want done I want you to see that was all accidental I want you to take care of me I want you should think out the fair thing for all of us to do I want you to keep sane and cool-headed and shame the others into behaving themselves and I want you to smash down hard on their everlasting why didn't you do this and why didn't you do that I reckon I've been told 500 times already I shouldn't give them the deeds Josie says and then she sings it not give them to him how could I help giving them to him he the God up and got them himself if I hadn't you've cut out something of a job for me say Kate but I'll do my best anyway I can take care of you come on into the house now let me clean you up and then I'll talk the rest of them into reason if you stand back and me and let them see I'm acting for you you go ahead and Mrs. Bates all back whatever you say but keep them off of me keep them off of me after Kate had bathed her mother helped her into fresh clothes and brushed her hair she coaxed her to lie down and by diplomatic talk and stroking her head finally soothed her to sleep then she went down and announced the fact asked them all to be quiet and began making her way from group to group in an effort to restore mental balance and sanity after Kate had evicted all of them to go home and stay until time for the funeral Sunday morning and all of them had emphatically declined and eagerly and gone on straining the situation to the breaking point Kate gave up and began sending the table when any of them tried to talk or argue with her she said conclusively I shall not say one word about this until Monday then we will talk things over and find where we stand what mother wants this would be much easier for all of us if you'd all go home and calm down and plan out what you think would be the fair and just thing to do before evening Kate was back exactly where she left off for when Mrs. Bates came downstairs her nurse quieted by her long sleep she asked Kate what would be best about each question that arose while Kate answered as nearly for all of them as her judgment in commonsense dictated but she gave the answer in her own way and she paved the way by making a short sharp speech when the first person said in her hearing that mother never should have given him the deeds not one of them said that again while it Kate's suggestion mentally and on scraps of paper every single one of them figure that one third of sixteen hundred and fifty was five hundred and fifty subtracted from sixteen hundred and fifty this left one thousand one hundred which divided by sixteen gave sixty-eight and three-fourths this result gave Josie the hysterics strong and capable though she was made hiring violently ill so that he resorted to garden palings for support while Agatha used her influence suddenly and took Adam junior home and she came to Kate to say that they were going Agatha was white as possible her thin lips compressed a red spot burning on either cheek Adam and I shall take our departure now Catherine she said standing very stifly her head held higher than Kate ever and thought it could be lifted Kate put her arm around her sister-in-law and gave her a hearty hug tell Adam I'll do what I think is barren just and use all the influence I have to get the others to do the same she said fruitless said Agatha fruitless reason and justice have departed from this abode I shall hasten my pace and take Adam where my influence is paramount the state of affairs has deplorable perfectly deplorable I shall not be missed and I shall leave my mail offspring to take the place of his poor defrauded father Adam third was now a tall handsome young man of twenty-two quite as fond of Kate as ever he wiped the dishes and when the evening work was finished they talked with Mrs. Bates until they knew her every wish the children had planned for a funeral from the church because it was large enough to see the family and friends in comfort but when they mentioned this to Mrs. Bates she delivered an ultimatum on the instant y'all do know such thing she cried Pa never went to that church living all not saying she was being carried their feet first when he's helpless and will not skin the lies of neighbors by fighting over money on Sunday either y'all come Monday morning if you want anything to say about this you don't put through the business in short order I'm sick to my soul the whole thing I'll wash my hands of it as quick as possible so the families all went to their homes Kate helped her mother to bed and then she and Adam third tried to plan what would be best for the morrow after when they sat down and figuring until almost dawn there's no faintest possibility of pleasing everyone said Kate the level best we can do is to devise some scheme whereby everyone will come as nearly being satisfied as possible can Aunt Josie and Aunt Mary keep from finding across the grave as Adam only heaven knows sick Kate end of chapter 16 chapter 17 of a daughter of the land by Jean Stratten Porter this labor box recording is in the public domain chapter 17 the banner hand Sunday morning Kate a rose early and had the house clean and everything ready when the first carriage load drove into the barn yard as she helped her mother to dress mrs. Bates again evidenced a rebellious spirit Nancy Ellen had slipped upstairs and so fine white ruching in the neck and sleeves of her mother's best dress her only dress in fact aside from the calico she worked in Kate combed her mother's hair and drew it in loose waves across her temples as she produced the dress mrs. Bates drew back what did you stick them gougas onto my dress for she demanded I didn't say Kate oh it was Nancy Ellen while I don't see why she wanted to make a laughing stock of me said mrs. Bates she didn't say Kate everyone is wearing bruising now she wanted her mother to have what the best of them have huh said mrs. Bates well I reckon I can stand until noon but it's going to be a hot dose haven't you a thin black dress mother as Kate no said mrs. Bates I haven't but you can make a pretty safe bet that I will have one before I start anywhere again in such weather is this that's the proper spirit say Kate there comes Andrew let me put your bonnet on she said the fine black bonnet Nancy Ellen have bought on mrs. Bates headed the proper angle and tied the long wide silk ribbon beneath her chin mrs. Bates sat in martyr-like resignation Kate was pleased with her mother's appearance look in the mirror she said see what a handsome lady you are I ain't seen in the looking glass since I don't know when some mrs. Bates why should I begin now chances are it you have rigged me up until I'll set the neighbors laughing also saying that I didn't wait until the breath was out pause body to begin primping nonsense mother said Kate nobody will say or think anything everyone will recognize Nancy Ellen's fine since period handed that bonnet and ruching now for your veil mrs. Bates arose from her chair and set back there they're Katie she said you've gone far enough I'll be sweat to a lather in this dress I'll wear the head Reagan because I've got to or set the neighbors talking how mean Paul was not to let me have a bonnet and between the two I'd rather they take it out on me than on him she steadied herself by the chair back and look Kate in the eyes Paul was always the banner hand the boss everything she said he was so big and strong and so all far and sure he was right I never contraried him in the start so before I noted I was waiting for him to say what to do and then agreeing with him even when I know he was wrong so going on a long fine but it gave me an awful smothered feeling at times Kate stood looking your mother intently her brain racing for she was thinking to herself good Lord she means it to preserve the appearance of self-respect she systematically agreed with him whether she thought I was right or wrong because she was not able to hold her own against him nearly 50 years of life like that Kate toss the heavy black crepe veil back on the bed mother she said here alone in between us if I promise never to tell living soul will you tell me the truth about that deed business Mrs. Bates seems so agitated and Kate and I mean how it started if you thought was right in a fair thing to do yes I'll tell you that some of space it was not fair and I sought I sought good and plenty there was no use to fire them that would only I drove them to record them I was so sick of it and I told him so Kate was pinning her hat I plan for you to walk with Adam she said well you can just change that plan so far as I'm concerned and Mrs. Bates with finality I ain't a go with Adam somebody had told him about the deeds before I got here he came in Raven and he talked to me something terrible he was the first to say actually I give paw the box not give it to him and he went farther than that till I just rose up and called him down proper but I ain't feeling good at them and I ain't going with them I'm going with you I want somebody with me that understands me and feels a little for me and I want the neighbors to see that the minute I'm boss such a fine girls you has her rightful place in her home I'll go with you or all sit down in this chair and sit here but you didn't send for me so Kate no I hadn't quite got round to it yet but I was coming I told all of them that you were the only one in the lot who had any sense and I said I wish you were here and as I said I just sent for you yesterday afternoon about three o'clock I was coming to it fast I didn't feel just like standing up for myself I took about all fault finding it wasn't me to bear just about three o'clock I just sent for you Katie sure as God made little apples all right then to Kate but if you don't tell them they'll always say I took the lead while they got to say something to Mrs. Bates most of them would die if they had to keep their mouth shut a while but I'll tell them fast enough then she led the way downstairs there was enough members in the immediate family to pack the front rooms of the house the neighbors filled the dining room and door yard the church choir singing him in front of the house the minister stood on the front steps and read a chapter and told where Mr. Bates had been born Mary the size of his family and possessions said he was a good father an honest neighbor and very sensibly left his future with his God then the choir sang again and all started to their conveyances as the breaking up began outside Mrs. Bates arose and stepped to the foot of the casket she stunted herself by it and said sometime back I promised Paul that if he went before I did this time in his funeral ceremony I would set this black tin box on the foot of his coffin and unlock it before all of you and in the order in which they are laid beginning with Adam junior hand each of you boys the deed pod made for you the land you live on you all know what happened none of you know just how and wouldn't bring the deeds back if you did they're gone but I want you boys to follow your father to his grave with nothing in your hearts against them he was all for the men I don't ever want to hear any of you criticize him about this or me either he did this best to make you upstanding men in your community his one failing being that he liked being an upstanding man himself so well they carried it too far but his intentions was the best as for me I had no idea how sick he was and nobody else had I minded him just like all the rest of you always did the boys especially from the church I want all of you to go home until tomorrow morning and then I want my sons and daughters by birth only to come here and we'll talk things over quietly quietly mind you and decide what to do Katie will you come with me it was not quite a tearless funeral some of the daughters in law of what from nervous excitement and some of the little children cried with fear but there were no tears from the wife of Adam Bates or his sons and daughters and when he was left to the mercies of time all of them fallen miss Bates orders except Nancy Allen and Robert who stopped to help Kate with the dinner Kate slipped into her second dress and went to work Mrs. Bates untied her bonnet strings and unfastened her dress neck as they started home she unbuttoned her waist going up the back walk and pulled it off at the door well if I ever put that thing on in July again she said you can use my head for a knock mall Nancy Allen can't you stop at the store as you come out in the morning and get the goods and you girls run me up a dress as nice enough to go out and not so hot it starts me burning before my time of course I can say Nancy Allen about what do you want to pay mother whenever it takes to get decent in the cool dress cool mind you semester space and any color but black why mother cried Nancy Allen it must be black no semester space Paul kept me in black all my life on the supposition it showed the dirt the least there's nothing in that it shows dirt worse than white I got my fill black you can get a nice cool gray if you want me to wear it well I never said Nancy Allen what will the neighbors say what do I care as Mrs. Bates they've talked about me all my life I'd be kind of lonesome if they used to quit dinner over keep proposed that her mother should lie down while they wash the dishes I would like a little rest and Mrs. Bates I guess I'll go upstairs they'll do nothing of the kind it's dreadfully hot up there go in the spare room where it is cool we'll keep quiet I'm going to stay Tuesday until I move you in there anyway it's smaller but it's big enough for one and you'll feel much better there okay I'm so glad you thought of that crime Mrs. Bates I've been thinking and thinking about and it just seems as if I can't ever steal myself to go into that room to sleep again I'll never enter that door that I don't see he'll never enter it again as your room so Kate I'll fix you up before I go and Sally Whistler told me last evening she would come and make her home with you if you wanted her he likes Sally don't you yes I like her finds and Mrs. Bates quietly as possible the girls wash the dishes pulled down the blinds closed the front door and slipped down in the orchard with Robert to talk things over Nancy Ellen was stiffly reserved with Kate but she would speak when she was spoken to which was so much better than silence that Kate was happy over it Robert was himself Kate thought she had never liked him so well he seemed to grow even kinder and more considerate as the years passed Nancy Ellen was prettier than Kate ever had seen her but there was a line of discontent around her mouth and she spoke petrishly on slight provocation or none at all now she was openly brazenly brutally frank in her rejoicing she thought was the best joke that ever happened to the boys and she said so repeatedly Kate found her lips closing more tightly and a slight feeling of forevolging growing in her heart surely in Nancy Ellen's lovely home cared for and shielded in every way she had no such need of money as Kate had herself she was delighted when Nancy Ellen said she was sleeping and was going to the living room lounge for a nap then Kate produced her sheet of figures she and Robert talked the situation over and carefully figured on how an adjustment fair to all could be made until they were called to supper after supper Nancy Ellen and Robert went home while Kate and her mother sat on the back porch and talked until Kate had a clear understanding and a definite plan in her mind which was that much improvement over wearing herself out in bitter revilings or a selfish rejoicing over a brother's misfortune her mother listened to all she had to say asked a question occasionally objected to some things and suggested others they arose when they had covered every contingency they could think of and went upstairs to bed even though the downstairs was cooler as she undressed Mrs. Bates said slowly now in the morning I'll speak my piece first and I'll say it pretty plain I got the whip hand here for once in my life they can't rave and fight here and insult me again as they did Friday night and Saturday till you got here and shut them up I won't stand it that's flat I'll tell them so that you can speak for me because you can figure faster and express yourself planer but insist that there be no fussing and I'll back you I don't know just what life has been doing to you Katie but Lord it has made a fine woman of you Kate set her lips in an even line and said nothing but her heart was the glass that had been in years her mother continued seems like Nancy Ellen had all the chance most folks thought she was a lot the prettiest to start with though I can't say that I ever saw so much difference she's had leisure and patent and her husband has made a mental money she's gone all over the country with them the more chance she has and narrower she grows and the more discontented her one thing she is awful disappointed about having no children I pity her about that is it because she's a twin as Kate I'm afraid so some Mrs. Bates you can't tell much about those things they just seem to happen Robert and Nancy Ellen feel awful bad about it still she might do for at least what she would for her own the Lord knows there are enough mighty nice children in the world who need mothering I want to see your children Katie are they nice little folks straight and good looking the boy is, said Kate the girl is good with the exception of being the most stubborn child I've ever seen she looks so much like a woman and it almost sickens me to think of that I have to drive myself to do her justice what a pity so Mrs. Bates slowly oh they are healthy happy youngsters and Kate you get as much as we ever did and don't expect anymore I have yet to see a demonstrated Bates hump so Mrs. Bates well you ought to been here Friday night and I thought Adam came precious near Saturday demonstrating power or anger yes and Kate I meant affection and isn't it the queerest thing how people are made of all the boys Adam is the one who has the most softening influences and who has made the most money and yet he's acting the worst of all it really seems as if failure and hardship make more of a human being of folks and success you're right Mrs. Bates look at Nancy Ellen and Adam sometimes I think Adam has been pretty much gold with Agathon her money all these years and it just drives him crazy to think of having still less than she has have you got your figures all set down to back you up Katie yes and Kate I've gone all over it with Robert and he thinks it's the best and only thing that can be done now go to sleep each knew that the other was awake most of the night but very few were as past between them they were up early dressed and waiting when the first carriage stopped at the gate Kate told her mother to stay where she would not be worried until she was needed and went down herself to meet her brothers and sisters in the big living room when the last one arrived she called her mother Mrs. Bates came down looking hollow-eyed haggard and grim as none of her children ever before had seen her she walked directly to the little table at the end of the room and while still standing she said now I've got a few words to say and then I'll turn this over to a younger head and one better at figures than mine I've sent my sayings to Paul yesterday now I'll say this for myself I got my start minding Paul and agreeing with him young but you needed any of you throw it in my teeth now that I did there's only one woman among you and no man who ever disobeyed him Katie stood up to him once and got seven years from home to punish her and me he wasn't right then and I knew it as I'd often known it before and pretty often since but no woman God ever made could have lived with Adam Bates as his wife and contraried him I didn't mind him any quicker or any oftener than the rest of you keep that pretty clear in your heads and don't one of you dare open your mouth again to tell me as you did Saturday what I should have done and what I shouldn't I've had the law of this explained to me you all know it for that matter by the law I get this place a one third of all the other land of money I don't know just what money there is at the bank or in notes and mortgages but a sixteenth of it after my third is taken out ain't going to make a break any of you I've told Katie why I'm willing to do all my part and she will explain it then tell you about plan G has fixed up as for me you can take it or leave it if you take it well and good if you don't the law will be set motion today and it will take its course at the end and all depends on you now two things more at the start what Paul wanted to do seemed to me right and I agreed with him and worked with him but when my girls began to grow up and I saw how they felt and how they struggled and worked and how the women you boys married went ahead of my own girls had finer homes and carriages and easier times I got pretty sick of it I told Paul so more than once he just raved whenever I didn't he always carried his keys in his pocket I never touched his chest key in my life till I handed him his deed box Friday afternoon but I agreed with my girls it's fair and right since things have come out as they have that they should have their shares I would too the other thing is just this I'm tired to death of the whole business I want peace and rest and I want it quick Friday and Saturday I was so scared and so knocked out I suppose I had to took it if one of the sucking babies have risen up and commenced to tell me what I should have done and what I shouldn't I'm through with that you all keep civil tongues in your heads this morning I'll get up and go upstairs and lock myself in a room till you're gone and if I go it will mean that the law takes its course and if it does there will be 300 acres less land to divide you've had paw in your hands all your lives now you will go civil and you will go easy or you will get taste of maw I take no more talk from anybody Katie go ahead with your figures Kate spread her sheet on the table and glanced around the room the Milton County record shows 1,650 acres standing in father's name she said of these mothers air to 550 acres leaving 1,100 acres to be divided among 16 of us which gives 68 and three fourths acres to each this land is the finest the proper fertilization and careful handling can make even the poorest is the cream of the country is compared with the surrounding farms as a basis of estimate I've taken 100 dollars in acres a fair selling figure some is worth more some less but that is a good average this would make the share of each of us in cash that could easily be realized 6,875 dollars whatever else is in mortgages notes and money can be collected as it is due deposited in some bank and when it is all in divided equally among us after deducting mother's third now this is the law and those are the figures by shell venture to say that none of us feel right about it or ever will an emphatic murmur of approval ran among the boys Mary and Nancy Ellen Stoutly declared that they did oh no you don't said Kate if God made any woman of you so that she feels right and clean in her conscience about this deal he made her wrong and that's the thing that has not yet been proven of God as I see it here's the boys sign from childhood they were told bribed and urged them as holidays work all week and often on Sunday to push and slave on the promise of this land at 21 they all got the land and money to stock it and build homes they were told it was theirs required to pay the taxes on it and also their labor at any time and without wages for father not one of the boys but has done several hundred dollars worth of work on father's farm for nothing to keep him satisfied and to ensure getting his deed all these years each man is paying his taxes but thousands in improvements and rebuilding homes and barns fertilizing and developing his land each one of these farms is worth nearly twice when it was the day it was received that the boy should lose all this is no cost for rejoicing on the part of any true woman as a fact no true woman will allow such a thing to happen speak for yourself cried several of the girls at once now right here's where we come to a perfect understanding Sinkate I did say that for myself but isn't the main what I say I say for mother now you will not one of you interrupt me again or this meeting closes and each of you stands to lose more than two thousand dollars which is worth being civil for for quite a while no more of that I say any woman should be ashamed to take advantage of her brother through an accident and rob him of years of work and money he was perfectly justified in thinking was his I for one refuse to do it and I want and need money probably more than any of you to tear up these farms to take more than half from the boys is too much on the other hand for the girls to help earn the land to go with no inheritance at all isn't even more unfair now in order to arrive at a compromise so we'll leave each boy's farm and give each girl the nearest possible to a fair amount figuring in what the boys have spent in taxes and work for father and when each girl has lost by not having her money to handle all of these years it is necessary to split the difference between the time Adam the eldest has had his inheritance in Hiram the youngest came into possession which by taking from and adding to gives a fair average of 15 years now mother proposes if we will enter into an agreement this morning with no worries and no wrangling to settle on this basis she will relinquish her third of all other land and keep only this home farm she even will allow the 50 lying across the road to be sold and the money put into a general fund for the share of the girls she will turn into this fund all money from notes and mortgages in the sale of all stock implements etc here except what she wants to keep for her use and the sum of $3,000 in cash should provide against old age this release is quite a sum of money in 350 acres of land which she gets to the boys to start this fund is her recompense for their work and loss through a scheme in which she had to share in the start she does this only on the understanding that the boys form a pool and in some way take from what they have saved sell timber or cattle or borrow enough money to add to this sufficient to pay to each girl $6,000 in cash in three months now get out your pencils and figure start with the original number of acres at $50 an acre which is what it costs father on an average balance against each other what the boys have lost in tax and work and the girls have lost in not having their money to handle and frost it off then figure not on the basis of what the boys have made the sand worth while what it costs fathers is state to buy build on and stock each farm strike the 15 year average on prices and profits figure that the girls get all their money practically immediately to pay for the time they have been out of it while each boy assumes an equal share of the indebtedness required to finish out the $6,000 after mothers turned in what she is willing to if this is settled here in now then I understand Samaritan if we take under the law each of us is entitled to 68 and three quarter acres and if we take under mother's proposition we are entitled to 87 and a half acres no no EA said Kate the old nickname for exceptional ability slipping out before she thought no no not so you take 68 and three quarters under the law mother's proposition is made only to the boys and only on condition that they settle here and now because she feels responsible to them for her share of rearing them and starting them out as she did by accepting her proposition you lose $875 approximately boys lose on the same basis figuring out $50 in acre $6,562 and 50 cents plus their work in taxes and minus what mother will turn in which will be about let me see it will take a pool of $54,000 to pay each of us $6,000 if mother raises $35,000 plus sale money in notes it will leave about $19,000 for the boys which will divide up at nearly $2,500 for them to lose as against less than $1,000 for us that should be enough to square matters with any right-minded woman even in our positions it will give us that much cash in hand it will leave the boys some of the younger ones in debt for years if they hold their land what more do you want I bought the last cent that's coming to me said Mary I thought you would Sinkate yet you have the best home and the most money of any of the girls living on farms I set on to this proposition because it is fair and just and what mother wants done as she feels that this is defrauding the girls and she can arrange to leave what she has to us at her death which will more than square matters in our favor you hold on there Katie so Mrs. Bates you're going too fast I'll get what's coming to me and hang on to it a while before I decide which way the cat jumps I reckon you'll all meet them mothering the 16 of you doing my share in doors and out and living with Paul for all these years I've earned it I'll not tie myself up in any way I'll do just what I pleased with mine figure in all I've told you to for the rest let be I beg your pardon and you're right of course I'll sign this and I shall expect every sister I have to do the same quickly and chairfully it's the best way out of a bad business and it's her all of us for years and then I shall expect the boys to follow like men it's the fairest decentest thing we can do let's get it over Kate picked up the pen handed it to her mother signed afterward herself and then carried it to each of her sisters leaving Nancy Ellen and Marion to last all of them signed up to Nancy Ellen she hesitated then she whispered to Kate did Robert Kate nodded Nancy Ellen thought deeply a minute and then said slowly I guess it is the quickest and best we can do so she signed Mary hesitated longer but finally added her name Kate passed on to the boys beginning with Adam slowly he wrote his name and as he handed back the paper he said thank you Kate I believe it's the same thing we can do I can make it easier than the younger boys then helped them said Kate Tarsley passing on each boy signed in turn all of them pleased with the chance it was so much better than they had hoped that was a great relief which most of them admitted so they followed Adam's example and thanking Kate for all of them knew that in her brain had originated the scheme which seemed to make the best of their troubles then they sat closer and talked things over calmly and dispassionately it was agreed that Adam and his mother should drive to Hartley the following afternoon and arranged for him to take out papers of administration for her and start the adjustment of affairs they all went home thinking more of each other and Kate especially than ever before Mrs. Bates got dinner while Kate and Nancy Ellen went to work on the cool gray dress so that would be ready for the next afternoon while her mother was away Kate cleaned the spare bedroom and moved her mother's possessions into it she made it as convenient and comfortable and as pretty as she could but the house was bare to austerity so that her attended predefined was rather a failure then she opened the closed room and cleaned it after studying it most carefully as it stood the longer she worked the stronger became the conviction that was slowly working its way into her brain when she could do no more she packed her telescope and stalled Sally with Sir in her father's room and rode to Hartley with the neighbor from there she took the Wednesday hack for Walden End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of A Daughter of the Land by Jane Stratton Porter this vapor fox recording is in the public domain Chapter 18 Kate takes a bit in her teeth the hackman was obliging for after delivering the mail and some parcels he took Kate to her home while she waited for him she walked the ravine bank planning about the mill which was now so sure that she might almost begin work surely she might as soon as she finished figuring for she had visited the courthouse in Hartley and found that George's deeds were legal and in proper shape her mind was filled with plans which this time must succeed as she approached the house she could see the children playing in the yard it was the first time she ever had been away from them she wondered if they had missed her she was amazed to find that they were very decidedly disappointed to see her but a few pertinent questions developed the reason their grandmother had come with her sister she had spent her time teaching them that their mother was cold and hard and abused them by not treating them as other children were treated so far as Kate could see they had broken every rule she had ever laid down for them eating until their stomachs were out of order and played in their better clothing until it never would be nice again while Polly shouted at her approach give me the oranges and candy I want to divide them silly said Kate this is too soon I have no money yet it will be a long time before I get any but you shall each have an orange some candy and new clothing when I do now run see what big fish you can catch satisfied the children obeyed and ran to the creek Aunt Holly worried and angered told Adam to tell his father that mother was home and for him to come and take her and grandmother to Walden at once she had not been able to keep Mrs. Holt from one steady round of mischief but she argued that her sister could do less with her on guard than alone so she had stayed and done her best but she knew how Kate would be annoyed so she believed the best course was to leave as quickly as possible Kate walked into the house spoke to both women and went to her room to change her clothing before she had finished she heard George's voice in the house demanding where's our millionaire lady I want to look at her Kate was very tired slowly relaxing from intense nerve strain she was holding herself in check about the children she took a tighter grip and bowed she would not give Mrs. Holt the satisfaction of seeing her disturbed and provoked if she killed herself in the effort at self-control she stepped toward the door here she called in a clear voice the tone of which brought George swiftly what was he worth anyway he shouted oh millions and millions said Kate sweetly at least I think so it was scarcely a time to discuss finances in that horrible accident George laughed oh you're a good one he cried think you can keep a thing like that still the cats and the dogs and the chickens of the whole county know about the deeds the old land king have made for his sons and how he got left on it served him right too we could hear Andrew swear and see Ann and beat his horse clear over here that's right go ahead pull on airs tell us something we don't know will you maybe you think I wasn't hanging pretty close around that neighborhood myself spying cried Kate looking for timber he sneered and never in all my life have I seen anything to beat it sixteen hundred and fifty acres of the best land in the world your share of land and money together will be every cent of twelve thousand oh I guess I know what you've got up your sleeve my lady come on show out let's all go celebrate what did you bring the children Kate was rapidly losing patience inspired her resolve myself she said from their appearance and actions goodness knows they needed me I've been to my father's funeral George not to a circus honk said George and home for the first time in seven years you needn't tell me it wasn't the biggest picnic you ever had and say about those deeds burning up wasn't that too grand even if my father burned with them she asked George you make me completely disgusted big hypocrite he scoff you know you're tickled silly why you will get ten times as much as you would if those deeds hadn't burned I know what that estate amounts to I know what that land is worth I'll see that you get your share to the last penny that can be rung out of it you bet I will things are coming our way at last now we can build the mill and do everything we plan I don't know as we will build a mill with their fifteen thousand we could start a store in Hartley and do bigger things the thing for you to do right now is to hitch up and take Aunt Oley in your mother homes to Kate I'll talk to you after supper and tell you all there is to know I'm dusty entire now well you need to try to fix up any shenanigan for me he said I know to within five hundred dollars of what you're sharing that estate is worth and I'll see that you get it no one has even remotely suggested that I shouldn't have my share of that estate said Kate while he was gone Kate thought intently as she went about her work she saw exactly what her position was in what she had to do their talk would be disagreeable but the matter had to be gone into and gotten over she let George talk as he would while she finished supper and they ate when he went to his evening work she helped the children scale their fish for breakfast and as they worked she talked to them sanely sensibly explaining what she could avoiding what she could not she put them to bed her heart almost sickened at what they had been taught and told Kate was in no very propitious mood for an interview with George as she sat in the front porch waiting for him she was wishing with all her heart that she was back home with the children to remain forever that of course was out of the question but she wished it she had been so glad to be with her mother again to be of service to hear a word of approval now and then she must be worthy of her mother's opinion she thought just as George stepped on the porch sat on the top step leaned against the pillar and said no go on tell me all about it Kate thought intently a second instead beginning with leaving Friday morning I was at the courthouse in Hartley this morning she said you needn't have done that he scoffed I spent most of the day there Monday you bet folks shelled out the books when I told them who I was and when I was after I must say you folks have some little reason to be high and mighty you sure have got the dough no wonder the old man hung on to his deeds himself he wasn't so far from a king all right all right you mean you left your work Monday and went to the courthouse in Hartley and told who you were and spent the day nosing into my father's affairs before his sons had done anything or you had any idea what was to be done she demanded or you needn't get high and mighty he said I propose to know just where I am about this I propose to have just was coming to me to you to the last penny and no baits man will manage the affair either suddenly Kate leaned forward I foresee that you fix yourself up for a big disappointment she said my mother and her eldest son will settle my father's estate and when it is settled I shall have exactly what the other girls have then if I still think it is wise I shall at once go to work building the mill everything must be shade to the last cent must be done with closest economy I must come out of this with enough left to provide us a comfortable home do that for the first profits of the mill he suggested I'm no good at counting chickens before they're hatched said Kate besides the first profits from the mill as you very well know if you would ever stop the thing must go to pay for logs to work on and there must always be a good balance for that purpose no I reserve enough for my money to fix the home I want but I shall wait to do it until the mill is working so I can give all my attention to it while you are out looking up timber of course I can do all of it perfectly well he said and it's a man's business you'll make me look like 50 cents if you get out among men and go to doing a thing no woman in this part of the country ever did what will look like you didn't trust me I can't help how it will look and Kate this is my last and only dollar if I lose it I'm out for life I shall take no risk I have no confidence in your business ability and you know it and need not hurt your pride a particle to say that we are partners I'm going to build the mill while you're going to bring in the timber it's the only way I shall touch the proposition I will give you $200 for the deed and abstract of the ravine I'll give your mother 800 for the lot and house which is 200 more than it is worth I'll lay away enough to rebuild and re-finish it and with the remainder I'll build the dam bridge and mill just as quickly as it can be done as soon as I get my money we'll buy timber for the mill and get it sawed and dried this winter we can be all done and running by next June Kate how are you going to get all that land sold in the money and hand and divide up that quickly I don't think it ever can be done land is always sold on time you know he said Kate drew a deep breath this land is it going to be sold she said most of the boys have owned their farms long enough to have enabled them to buy all the land and put money in the bank they're going to form a pool and put in enough money to pay the girls to share they have agreed to take even if they have to borrow it as some of the younger ones will but the older ones will help them so the girls are to have their money in cash in three months I was mighty glad the arrangement for my part because we can begin at once on our plans for the mill and how much do the girls get he has starkly can't say just yes and Kate the notes and mortgages have to be gone over and the thing figured out it will take some time mother and Adam began yesterday we shall know in a few weeks sounds to me like a cold blooded bait steal he cried who figured out what was a fair share for the girls who planned that arrangement why didn't you insist on the thing going through court the land being sold an equal division of all the proceeds now if you'll agree not to say a word until I finish I'll show you the figures thinking I'll tell you what the plan is and why it was made I'll tell you further that it is already recorded and in action there are no minor errors we can make an agreement and record it there was no will mother will minister it's all settled wait until I get the figures then slowly and clearly she went over the situation explaining everything in detail when she finished he sat staring at her with a snarling face you signed that he demanded you signed that you threw away at least half you might have had you let those lazy scoundrels of brothers of yours hoodwink you and pull the wool over your eyes like that are you mad are you stark staring mad no I'm quite sane said Kate it is you who are mad you know my figures don't you those were the only ones used yesterday the whole scheme was mine with help from mother to the extent of her giving up everything except the home farm you're crazy fool he cried springing up now stop said Kate stop right there I've done what I think is right and fair and just and I'm happy with the results act decently I'll stay and build the mill say one only one more than nasty insulting things in your head I'll go in there and wake up the children and we will leave now and on foot confronted with Kate and her ultimatum Georgia rose and walked down to the road he began pacing back and forth in the moonlight struggling to regain command of himself he had no money he had no prospect of any until I only died and left him her farm he was as he expressed it up against it there now he was up against it with Kate what she decided upon and proposed to do is all he could do she might shave prices and cut and skimp and haggle to buy material and put up her building at the least possible expense she might sit over books and figure yourself blind he would be driving over the country visiting with the farmers booming himself for a fat county office maybe eating big dinners and being a jolly good fellow generally naturally is breathing there came to him a scheme whereby he could buy the very lowest figure he could extract then he would raise the price to Kate enough to make him a comfortable income besides his share of the business he had not walked the road long enough until his anger was all gone he began planning the kind of horse he would have to drive the buggy he would want in the box in it to carry a hatchet a square measures and auger other tools he would need and by jove it would be a dandy idea to carry a bottle the real thing many a farmer for a good cigar and a few swallows of the right thing would warm up and sign such a contract this could be gotten no other manner while he would need it on cold days himself george stopped in the moonlight to slap his leg and laugh over the happy thought by george georgey my boy he said most days will be cool won't they he had no word to say the case of his change of feeling in the matter he did not want to miss a chance of tweeting her at every opportunity he could invent with having thrown away half our inheritance but he was glad the whole thing was settled so quickly and easily he was now busy planning how he would spend the money kate greed to pay him for the ravine but that was another rosy cloud she soon changed in color for she told him if he was going to be a partner he could put in what money he had as his time is no more valuable than she could make hers teaching school again in other words he could buy his horse and buggy with a price she paid for the location so he was forced to agree he was forced to do a great many things in the following months that he hated but he had to do them or be left out of the proposition altogether mrs. Bates and adam administered the bates of state promptly and efficiently the girls had their money on time the boys adjusted themselves as their circumstances admitted mrs. Bates had to make so many trips to town before the last paper was signed and the last transfer was made that she felt she could not go any farther so she did not nancy ellen had reached a point where she would stop and talk a few minutes to kate if she met her on the streets of heartly as she frequently did now but she would not ask her to come home with her because she would not bring herself in contact with george holt the day kate went to heartly to receive and deposit her check and start a bank account her mother asked her if she had any plans as to what she would do with her money kate told her in detail mrs. Bates listened with grim face you better leave it in the bank she said and use the interest to help you live or put in good farm mortgages where you can easily get 10 percent kate explained again and told how she was doing all the buying how she would pay all bills and keep the books it was no use mrs. Bates sternly insisted that she should do no such thing in some way she would be defrauded in some way she would lose the money which she was proposing was a man's work kate had most of her contracts signed in much material order and she could not stop sadly she saw her mother turned from her declaring as she went that kate would lose every cent she had and when she did she need not come home hanging around her she had been warned if she lost she could take the consequences for an instant kate felt that she could not endure it then she sprang after her mother hope that i won't lose she cried i'm keeping my money in my own hands i'm spending it myself please mother come and see the location and let me show you everything till right now and mrs. Bates grimly the thing is done the time to have told me was before you made any contracts you're always taking the bit in your teeth and going ahead well go but remember as you make your bed so you can lie oh right sin kate trying to force a laugh don't you worry next time you get into a tight place and want to borrow a few hundreds come to me mrs. Bates laughed derisively kate turned away with a faint sickness in her heart and when half an hour later she met nancy ellen fresh from an interview with her mother she felt no better far worse in fact for nancy ellen certainly could say what was in her mind with free and forceful directness with deaf tongue and nimble brain she embroidered all mrs. Bates had said and prophesied more evil luck in three minutes than her mother could have thought of in a year kate left them with no promises seeing either of them again except by accident her heart and brain filled with misgivings must i always have a fly in my ointment she wailed to herself i thought this morning this would be the happiest day in my life i felt as if i were flying he goss but wings were never meant for me every time i take them down i come car flop mostly in a gulf of dark despair as the hymnbook says anyway i'll keep my promise and give the youngsters a treat so she bought each of them in orange some candy and goods for a new sunday outfit and comfortable school clothing then she took the hack for walden feeling in the degree as she had the day she married george holt as she passed a ravine and again studied the location her spirits arose it was a good scheme it would work she would work it she would stop in the yards to walden in the surrounding country she would see the dealers and heartland talked the business over so she would know she was not being cheated and freight rates when she came to shipping she stopped at mrs. holt's lay the deed before her for a signature and offered her a check for 800 for the whole house and lot which mrs. holt eagerly accepted they arranged the move immediately as the children were missing school she had a deed with her for the ravine which george signed and walden and both documents were acknowledged but she would not give him the money until he had the horse and buggy he was to use at the gate in the spring he wanted to start out buying it once but that was going too far in the future for kate while the stream was low in the bank's firm kate built her dam so that would be ready for spring put in the abutments and built the bridge it was not a large dam and not a big bridge but both were solid well constructed and would serve every purpose then kate sent them in harrowing stone for the corner foundations she hoped to work up such a trade and buy so much and so wisely in the summer that she could run all winter so she was building a real mill in the bait's way which way included letting the foundations freeze and settle over winter that really was an interesting and a comfortable winter kate and george both watched the children's studies at night worked their plans fine on the daytime and lived as cheaply and carefully as they could everything was going well george was doing his best to promote the mill plan to keep kate satisfied at home to steal out after she's left and keep himself satisfied and appetite and some ready money in his pockets won at games of chance at which he was an expert in a card which he handled like a master end of chapter 18 chapter 19 of a daughter of the land by gene stratton porter this labor box recording is in the public domain chapter 19 as a man so if at the earliest possible moment in the spring the building of the mill began it was scarcely well underway when work was stopped by a week of heavy rains the water filled the ravine to dangerous height and the roaring of the dam could be heard all over town george talked of it incessantly he said it was the sweetest music his ears had ever heard kate had to confess that she liked the sound herself but she was fearful for saying much on the subject because she was so very anxious about the stability of the dam there was a day or two of fine weather then the rains began again kate said she had all the music she desired she proposed to be safe so she went to open the sluice way to reduce the pressure on the dam the result was almost immediate the water gushed through lowering the current and lessening the fall george grumbled all day threatening half a dozen times to shut the sluice but kate and the carpenter were against him so he waited until he came slipping home after midnight his brain in a muddle from drink smoke and cards as he neared the dam he decided that the reason he felt so badly was because he had miss hearing it all day but he would have it to go to sleep by so he crossed the bridge and shut the sluice gate even as he was doing it the thunder peeled lightning flash and high heaven gave a warning that he was doing a dangerous thing but all his life he had done what he pleased there was no probability that he would change then he needed the roar of the dam to quiet his nerves the same roar that put him to sleep awakened kate she lay wondering at it and fearing she raised her window to listen the rain was falling in torrents while the roar was awful so much worse that had been when she fell asleep that she had a suspicion of what might have caused it she went to george's room and shook him awake listen to the dam she cried it will go with sure it's fate george did you oh did you close the sluice gate when you came home he was half asleep and two to five from drink to take his usual course sure he said swish mew shish ever hush push me sleep he fell back on the pillow and went on sleeping kate tried again to awaken him but he struck at her savagely she ran to her room hurried into a few clothes and getting the lantern started toward the bridge at the gate she stepped into water as far as she could see above the dam the street was covered she waited to the bridge which was under and each end but still bare in the middle where it was slightly higher kate crossed in started down the yard toward the dam the earth was softer there and she marred in places almost her knees at the dam the water was tearing around each end in a mad race carrying earth and everything before it the mill side was lower than the street the current was so broad and deep she could not see where the sluice was she hesitated a second to try to locate it from the mill behind her and in that instant there was crack and a roar a mighty rush that swept her from her feet and washed away the lantern nothing saved her but the trees on the bank she struck one clung to it pulled herself higher and in the blackness gripped the tree while she heard the dam going gradually after the first break there was no use to scream no one could have heard her the storm raved on kate clung to her tree with each flash of lightning trying to see the dam at last she saw that was not all gone she was not much concerned about herself she knew the tree would hold eagerly she strained her eyes toward the dam she could feel the water dropping lower while the roar subsided to a wild rush and with flashes of lightning she could see what she thought was at least half of the dam holding firmly by that time kate began to chill she wrapped her arms around the tree impressing her cheek against the rough bark she cried as hard as she could and did not care god would not hear the neighbors could not she shook and cried until she was worn out by that time the water was only a muddy flow around her ankles if she had a light she could wade back to the bridge and reach home but if she missed the bridge and went into the ravine the current would be too strong for her she held with one arm and tried to wipe her face with the other hand what a fool to cry she said is that there was any more water needed here then she saw a light in the house and the figures of the children carrying it from room to room so she knew that one of them had awakened for a drain core with a storm and they had missed her then she could see them at the front door adam sturdy feet planted widely apart bracing him as he held up the lamp which flickered in the wind then she could hear his voice shouting mother instantly kate answered then she was sorry she had for both of them began to scream wildly there was a second to that then even the children realizes for utility she was out there on the water we gotta get her said adam we got to do it he started with the light held high the wind blew it out they had to go back to relight it kate knew they would burn their fingers and she prayed they would not set the house on fire when the light showed again at the top of her lungs she screamed adam set the broom on fire and carry it to the end of the bridge the water isn't deep enough to hurt you she tried twice then she saw him give paulie the lamp and run down the hall he came back in an instant with the broom paulie held the lamp high adam went down the walk to the gate started up the sidewalk he's using his head said kate to the tree he's going to wait until he reaches the bridge to start his life so it will last longer that is baits anyway thank god adam scratched several matches before he got the broom well ignited then he held it high and by its light found the end of the bridge kate called to him to stop and plunging and splashing through mud and water she reached the bridge before the broom burned out there she clung to the railing she had insisted upon and felt her way across to the boy his thin cotton night shirt was plastered to a sturdy little body as she touched him kate lifted him in her arms and almost hugged the life from him you big man she said you couldn't help mother good for you is the damn gone he asked part of it since kate's sliding her feet before as she waded toward paulie in the doorway did father shut the slew skate to hear the roar kate hesitated the shivering body in her arms felt so small to her i expect he did send adam all day he was fussing after you stopped the roar then he added casually the old full on unknown better i expect it was drunk again oh adam cried kate sending him on the porch oh adam what makes you say that oh all of them at school say that scoffed adam everybody knows it but you don't say paulie sure said paulie most every night but don't you mind mother adam and i will take care of you kate fell in her knees and gathered both of them in a crushing hug for an incident then she helped them into dry nightgowns into bed as she covered them she stopped and kissed each of them before she went to warm and put on dry clothes and dry her hair it was almost dawn when she walked to george holt's door and looked in at him lying stretched in deep sleep he may thank your god for your children she said if it hadn't been for them i know what i would have done to you then she went to her room and laid down to rest until dawn she was up at the usual time and had breakfast ready for the children as they were starting the school george came into the room mother said paulie there's a lot of folks over around the dam what shall we tell them kate's heart stopped she had heard that question before tell them the truth said adam scornfully before kate could answer tell them that mother opened the sluice way to save the dam and father shut it to hear it roaring and busted shall i mother asked paulie a slow whiteness spread over george's face he started down the hall to look tell them exactly what you please and kate only you watch yourself like a hawk if you tell one word not the way it was or in any way different from what happened i'll punish you severely may i tell them i helped the lamp while adam got you out of the water as paulie that would be true you know george turned the list in his face still wider yes that would be true kate but if you tell them that the first thing they will ask will be where was your father what will you say then why will say they was so drunk we can't wake them up said paulie conclusively we pulled him and we shook him and we yelled at him didn't we adam i was not drunk shouted george oh yes you were said adam you smelled all sour like it does at the saloon door george made of russia adam the boy spread his feet and put up his hands but never flinched or moved kate looking on felt something in her heart that never had been there before she caught george's arm as he reached a child he'll go on to school little folks she said and for mother's sake try not to talk at all if people question you tell them to ask mother i'd be so proud of you if you would do that i will if you'll hold me and kiss me again like you did last night when you got out of the water said paulie it is a bargain say kate how about you adam i will for that too said adam but i like awful well to tell how fast the water went and how it poured and roared while i held the light and you got across george was awful mother so black and so crashy and so deep i'd like to tell but you won't if i ask you not to quaren kate i will not said adam kate went down on her knees again she held out her arms and both youngsters rushed to her after they were gone she and george holt looked at each other in an instant then kate turned to her work he followed kate he began no use said kate if you'll go out and look at the highest watermark you can easily imagine what i had to face last night when i had to cross the bridge to open the sluice gate the bridge would have gone too if the children are not awakened with the storm and hunting me i'd have had to stay over there until morning if i could have clung to the tree that long first they rescued me and then they rescued you if you only but knew it by using part of the money i'd save for the house i can rebuild the dam but i'm done with you we're partners no longer not with business money or in any other way while i ever trust you again sit down there and eat your breakfast and then leave my site instead george put on his own clothing cross the bridge and worked all day with all his might trying to gather building material out of the water safe debris from the dam to clear the village street at noon he came over and got a drink and a piece of bread at night he worked until he could see no longer than ate some food from the cupboard and went to bed he was up and at work before a daybreak in the morning and for two weeks he kept this up until he had done much to repair the work of the storm the dam he almost rebuilt himself as soon as the water lowered to normal again kate knew what he was trying to do and knew also that in the month and the village pitying him and blaming her because he was working himself to death and she was allowing it she doggedly went on with her work the contracts remained she was forced to as the work near completion her faith in the enterprise grew she studied by the hour everything she could find pertaining to the business when the machinery began to arrive george frequently spoke about having timber ready to begin work on but he never really believed the thing which did happen would happen until the first loaded logs slowly crossed the bridge and began unloading in the yards a few questions elicited from the driver the reply that he had sold the timber to young adam baits at baits corners who was out buying right and left and paying cash on condition the seller did his own delivering george saw the scheme and then it was good also the logs were good while the price was less than he hoped to pay for such timber his soul was filled with bitterness the mill was his scheme he had planned it all those thieving baits had stolen this plan and his location and his home and practically separated him from his wife and children it was his mill and all he was getting from it was to work with all this might and on the decent word from morning until night that day instead of working as before he sat in the shade most of the time in that night instead of going to bed he went downtown when the mill was almost finished kate employed two men who lived in walden but had been working the heartly mills for years they were honest men and much experience kate made the better of them for a man and consulted with him in every step of completing the mill and setting up the machinery she watched everything with sharp eyes often making suggestions that were useful about the placing of different parts as a woman would arrange them some of these the men laughed at some they were more than glad to accept when the engine was set up the big song place george went to kate see here he said roughly i know i was wrong about the sous skate i was a fool to shut it with the water that high but i've learned my lesson i'll never touch it again i've worked like a dog for weeks to pay for it now where do i come in what's my job how much is my share of the money when do i get it the trouble with you george is that you have to learn a new lesson about everything you attempt you can't carry a lesson about one thing in your mind and apply it to the next thing that comes up i know you have worked and i know why it is fair that you should have something but i can't say what just now having to rebuild the dam and with a number of incidentals that have come up and by the best figuring i could do i've been forced to use my money save for rebuilding the house and even with that i'm coming out a hundred or two short i'm strapped and until money begins to come and i've done myself the first must go toward paying the men's wages the next for timber if jim melton can find work for you go to work in the mill and when we get started i'll pay you when it's fair and just you may depend on that if he hasn't worked for you you'll have to find a job at something else do you mean that yes wonderingly i mean it sinkate after stealing my plan and getting my land for nothing you'd throw me out entirely he demanded you and treated me to put all i had into your plan you told me repeatedly the ravine was worth nothing you were not even keeping up the taxes on until i came and urged you to the dam is used merely for water the engine furnishes the real power if you are thrown out you have thrown yourself out you have had every chance you're going to keep your nephew on the buying job yes i am say kate you can have no job that will give you a chance to involve me financially then give me melton's place it's so easy a baby could do and the wages you promised him are scandalous said george kate laughed oh george she said you can't mean that hope all your hair brained ideas that you could operate that saw as the wildest of course you could start the engine and set the saw running i could myself but to regulate its speed the control of a judgment you can no more do at the poly as for wages melton is working for less than he got in heartly because he can be at home and save his hack fair as you know george went over to jim melton and after doing all we could see to do and ordering melton to do several things he thought might be done he said casually of course i am boss around this shack but this is new to me you fellas will have to tell me what to do until i get my bearings as soon as we get to running i'll be yardmaster and manage the selling and shipping i'm good at fingers and that would be the best place for me you'll have to settle with mrs hold about that said jim melton of course said george isn't she a wonder with my help will soon wipe the heartly mills off the map and be selling till grand rapids will get her eye peeled with you to run the machinery me to manage the sales and her to keep the books we got a combination to beat the world in the meantime said jim melton dryly you might take that scoop shovel and clean the shavings and blocks off this floor leave me some before the engine to start the first fire and shovel the rest into that bend there where it's handy isn't safe to start with so much loose dry stuff lying around george went to work with the scoop shovel but he watched every movement jim melton made about the engine and machinery often he dropped the shovel instead studying things out for himself and asking questions not being sure of his position jim melton answered impatiently and showed him all he wanted to know but he constantly cautioned him not to touch anything or tried to start the machinery himself as he might lose control the gauge and break the saw or let the power run away with him george scoffed at the idea of danger and laughed at the simplicity of the engine and machinery there was little for him to do he hated to be seen cleaning up the debris men who stopped in passing kept telling what a fine fellow young baits was with good timbre was sending in several of them told george frankly they thought that was to be his job he was so ashamed of that he began instant improvisation that was the way we first planned things he said postfully we went came to working out our plans we felt i would be needed here till i learned the business and then i'm going on the road i'm going to be the salesman to travel dress well eat well flirt with the pretty girls and take big lumber orders well just about suit little old george wonder you remember to put the orders in at all sim jim melton dryly george glared at him well just remember whom you take orders from he said pompously i take them from mrs. holden nobody else said melton with equal assurance and i've yet to hear or say the first word about this wonderful traveling proposition she thinks she will do well or fill home orders and shipped to a couple of factories she already has contracts with sure you didn't drink that traveling proposition george at that instant george wished he could slay jim melton old day he brooded and grew swollen and ugly by noon he quit working went downtown by supper time he went home to prove to his wife that he was all right she happened to be coming across in the mill where she had helped melton to lay the first fire into the boiler ready to touch off and had seen the first log on the set carriage i've been agreeing that she was to come over opening time in the morning and start the machinery she was a proud and eager woman when she crossed the bridge and started down the street toward the gate from the opposite direction came george so unsteady that he was running into tree boxes then lifting his hat and apologizing to them for his awkwardness cake saw the glancing might fall any instant her only thought was to help him from the street to where children would not see him she went to him and taking his arm started down the walk with him he took off his hat to her also and walked with wavering dignity sending his steps as if his legs were not long enough to reach the walk so that each step ended in a decided thump cake would see the neighbors watching at their windows and her own children playing on the roof of the windshield when the children saw their parents they both stopped playing the stare at them then suddenly shrill and high heroes adam's childish voice father came home the other night tried to blow out the electric light blue and blue with all his might and the blow almost killed mother poly joined him and they sang and shrill and shrieked it they jumped up and down and laughed and repeated it again and again cake guided george to his room and gave him a shove that landed him on his bed then to hush the children she called them to supper they stopped suddenly as soon as they entered the kitchen door and sat sorry and ashamed while she went around her face white her lips closed preparing their food george was asleep the children ate alone as she could take no food later she cleaned the kitchen put the children to bed and sat in the front porch step looking at the mill wondering hoping planning praying unconsciously when she went to bed at 10 o'clock george was still asleep he awakened shortly after burning with heat and thirst he arose and slipped to the back porch for a drink water was such an aggravation he crossed the yard went out the back gate and down the alley when he came back up the street he was pompously maliciously dangerously drunk either less or more would have been better when he came inside the mill standing new and shining in the moonlight he was a lord of creation ready to work creation to his will he would go over and see if things were all right but he did not cross the bridge he went down the side street and entered the yard at the back the doors were closed and locked but there was as yet no latch on the sliding windows above the workbench he could push them open from the ground he leaned aboard against the side of the mill set his foot on it and pulled himself up so they could climb on the bench that much achieved he looked around him after a time his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness so that he could see his way plainly muddled half thoughts began to falter through his brain he remembered he was abused he was out of it he remembered that he was not the buyer for the mill he remembered how the men had laughed when he said that he was to be the salesman he remembered that Milton had said that he was not to touch the machinery he at once slipped from the bench and went to the boiler he opened the door the firebox and saw the kindling laid ready to light to get up steam he looked at the big log on the set carriage they had planned to start with a splurge in the morning Kate was to open the throttle that started the machinery he decided to show them that they were not so smart he would give them a good surprise by sawing the log that would be a good joke on them to brag about the remainder of his life he took matches from his pocket and started the fire his scene to his fevered imagination that burned far too slowly he shoved a more kindling shavings ends left from siding this smothered his fire so he made trip after trip to the tender box piling and armlows of dry and flammable stuff then suddenly the flames leaped high he slammed shut the door and started to warn the saw he could not make it work he jammed and pulled everything he could reach soon he realized that he was becoming intense and turned to the boiler to see that the firebox was red hot almost all over white hot in places my god he muttered too hot got to cool that down then he saw the tank in the dangling hose and remembered that he had not filled the boiler taking down the hose he opened the water cocks stuck in the nozzle and turned on the water full force windows were broken across the street parts of the firebox boiler and fire blew everywhere the walls blew out a roof lifted and came down the fire raged among the new dry timbers in the mill when her windows blew in Kate was thrown from her bed to the floor she lay stunned a second then dragged herself up to look across the street there was nothing where the low white expanse of roof had spread an hour before while the red glare was creeping everywhere over the ground she ran to George's room and found the empty she ran to the kitchen calling him and found the back door standing open she rushed back to her room and began trying to put on her dress over a night row she could not control her shaking fingers while at each step she cut her feet on broken glass she reached the front doors the children came screaming with fright and turning to warn them about the glass she stumbled on the top step pitched forward headlong then lay still the neighbors carried her back to her bed called the doctor and then saved all the logs in the yard they could the following day when the fire had burned itself out the undertaker hunted assiduously but nothing could be found to justify a funeral end of chapter 19