ink, the second they imitated,
the third they instantly obeyed. She started in to interest and educate
these children; she sent them home to investigate more subjects the
first day than they had ever carried home in any previous month. Boys
suddenly began asking their fathers about business; girls questioned
their mothers about marketing and housekeeping.

The week of Christmas vacation was going to be the hardest; everyone
expected the teacher to go home for the Holidays. Many of them knew
that her sister was marrying the new doctor of Hartley. When Kate was
wondering how she could possibly conceal the rupture with her family,
Robert Gray drove into Walden and found her at the schoolhouse. She
was so delighted to see him that she made no attempt to conceal her
joy. He had driven her way for exercise and to pay her a call. When
he realized from her greeting how she had felt the separation from her
family, he had an idea that he at once propounded: "Kate, I have come
to ask a favour of you," he said.

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

"Just this! I want you to pack a few clothes, drive to Hartley with me
and do what you can to straighten out the house, so there won't be such
confusion when Nancy Ellen gets there."

Kate stared at him in a happy daze. "Oh, you blessed Robert Gray! What
a Heavenly idea!" she cried. "Of course it wouldn't be possible for me
to fix Nancy Ellen's house the way she would, but I could put
everything where it belonged, I could arrange well enough, and I could
have a supper ready, so that you could come straight home."

"Then you will do it?" he asked.

"Do it?" cried Kate. "Do it! Why, I would be willing to pay you for
the chance to do it. How do you think I'm to explain my not going home
for the Holidays, and to my sister's wedding, and retain my
self-respect before my patrons?"

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

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

"House cleaned, blinds up, stoves all in, coal and wood, cellar
stocked, carpets down, and furniture all there, but not unwrapped or in
place. Dishes delivered but not washed; cooking utensils there, but
not cleaned."

"Enough said," laughed Kate. "You go marry Nancy Ellen. I shall have
the house warm, arranged so you can live in it, and the first meal
ready when you come. Does Nancy Ellen know you are here?"

"No. I have enough country practice that I need a hor