nger; she must forgive him for losing self-control
when he thought of it; but for her dear sake he would teach until she
was better--possibly she would be all right in a few days, and then she
could take her work again. Because she so devoutly hoped it, Kate made
that arrangement with the Trustee. Monday, she lay half starved, yet
gagging and ill, while George went to teach her school. As she
contemplated that, she grew sicker than she had been before. When she
suddenly marshalled all the facts she knew of him, she stoutly refused
to think of what Nancy Ellen had said; when she reviewed his character
and disposition, and thought of him taking charge of the minds of her
pupils, Kate suddenly felt she must not allow that to happen, she must
not! Then came another thought, even more personal and terrible, a
thought so disconcerting she mercifully lost consciousness again.

She sent for the village doctor, and found no consolation from her talk
with him. She was out of the school; that was settled. No harpy ever
went to its meat with one half the zest Mrs. Holt found in the
situation. With Kate so ill she could not stand on her feet half the
time, so ill she could not reply, with no spirit left to appeal to
George, what more could be asked? Mrs. Holt could add to every
grievance she formerly had, that of a sick woman in the house for her
to wait on. She could even make vile insinuations to Kate, prostrate
and helpless, that she would not have dared otherwise. She could
prepare food that with a touch of salt or sugar where it was not
supposed to be, would have sickened a well person. One day George came
in from school and saw a bowl of broth sitting on a chair beside Kate's
bed.

"Can't you drink it?" he asked. "Do, if you possibly can," he urged.
"You'll get so weak you'll be helpless."

"I just can't," said Kate. "Things have such a sickening, sweetish
taste, or they are bitter, or sour; not a thing is as it used to be. I
simply can't!"

A curious look crept over George's face. He picked up the bowl and
tasted the contents. Instantly his face went black; he started toward
the kitchen. Kate heard part of what happened, but she never lifted
her head. After a while he came back with more broth and a plate of
delicate toast.

"Try this," he said. "I made it myself."

Kate ate ravenously.

"That's good!" she cried.

"I'll tell you what I'm going to do," he said. "I'm going to take you
out to Aunt