they had set out, made themselves
fresh, and while awaiting the lecture hour, Kate again wrote to Robert
and Nancy Ellen, telling plainly and simply all that had occurred. She
even wrote "John Jardine's mother is of the opinion that he is courting
me. I am so lacking in experience myself that I scarcely dare venture
an opinion, but it has at times appealed to me that if he isn't really,
he certainly must be going through the motions."

Nancy Ellen wrote: I have read over what you say about John Jardine
several times. Then I had Robert write Bradstreet's and look him up.
He is rated so high that if he hasn't a million right now, he soon will
have. You be careful, and do your level best. Are your clothes good
enough? Shall I send more of my things? You know I'll do anything to
help you. Oh, yes, that George Holt from your boarding place was here
the other day hunting you. He seemed determined to know where you were
and when you would be back, and asked for your address. I didn't think
you had any time for him and I couldn't endure him or his foolish talk
about a new medical theory; so I said you'd no time for writing and
were going about so much I had no idea if you'd get a letter if he sent
one, and I didn't give him what he wanted. He'll probably try general
delivery, but you can drop it in the lake. I want you to be sure to
change your boarding place this winter, if you teach; but I haven't an
idea you will. Hadn't you better bring matters to a close if you can,
and let the Director know? Love from us both, NANCY ELLEN.

Kate sat very still, holding this letter in her hand, when John Jardine
came up and sat beside her. She looked at him closely. He was quite as
good looking as his mother thought him, in a brawny masculine way; but
Kate was not seeking the last word in mental or physical refinement.
She was rather brawny herself, and perfectly aware of the fact. She
wanted intensely to learn all she could, she disliked the idea that any
woman should have more stored in her head than she, but she had no time
to study minute social graces and customs. She wanted to be kind, to
be polite, but she told Mrs. Jardine flatly the "she didn't give a flip
about being overly nice," which was the exact truth. That required
subtleties beyond Kate's depth, for she was at times alarmingly casual.
So she held her letter and thought about John Jardine. As she thought,
she decided that she did not know whether she was