inted
about havin' no children. I pity her about that."

"Is it because she's a twin?" asked Kate.

"I'm afraid so," said 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 others 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 it almost sickens me to think of that I have to drive myself to
do her justice."

"What a pity!" said Mrs. Bates, slowly.

"Oh, they are healthy, happy youngsters," said Kate. "They get as much
as we ever did, and don't expect any more. I have yet to see a
demonstrative Bates."

"Humph!" said Mrs. Bates. "Well, you ought to been here Friday night,
and I thought Adam came precious near it Saturday."

"Demonstrating power, or anger, yes," said 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 had 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
than success."

"You're right," said Mrs. Bates. "Look at Nancy Ellen and Adam.
Sometimes I think Adam has been pretty much galled with Agatha and 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," said 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
words passed 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: