d 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 arrange 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 it 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 attempt at prettifying 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 a
conviction that was slowly working its way into her brain. When she
could do no more she packed her telescope, installed Sally Whistler in
her father's room, and rode to Hartley with a neighbour. From there
she took the Wednesday hack for Walden.

CHAPTER XVIII

KATE TAKES THE 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 Court House 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: eaten 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 appr