Hope arose in her with the cool air of spring on her cheek and its wine
in her nostrils. Then out of the clear sky she said it: "Adam, how
long are we going to stay in the beggar class?"

Adam jumped, and turned surprised eyes toward her. Kate was forced to
justify herself.

"Of course we give Aunt Ollie half we raise," she said, "but anybody
would do that. We work hard, and we live little if any better than
Jasons, who have the County Trustee in three times a winter. I'm big
and strong, you're almost a man, why don't we DO something? Why don't
we have some decent clothes, some money for out work and"--Kate spoke
at random--"a horse and carriage?"

"A horse and carriage?" repeated Adam, staring at her.

"Why not?" said Kate, casually.

"But how?" cried the amazed boy.

"Why, earn the money, and buy it!" said Kate, impatiently. "I'm about
fed up on earning cabbage, and potatoes, and skirmishing for wood. I'd
prefer to have a dollar in my pocket, and BUY what we need. Can't you
use your brain and help me figure out a way to earn some MONEY?"

"I meant to pretty soon now, but I thought I had to go to school a few
years yet," he said.

"Of course you do," said Kate. "I must earn the money, but can't you
help me think how?"

"Sure," said Adam, sitting straight and seeming thoughtful, "but give
me a little time. What would you--could you, do?"

"I taught before I was married," said Kate; "but methods of teaching
change so I'd have to have a Normal term to qualify for even this
school. I could put you and Polly with Aunt Ollie this summer; but I
wouldn't, not if we must freeze and starve together--"

"Because of Grandma?" asked the boy. Kate nodded.

"I borrowed money to go once, and I could again; but I have been away
from teaching so long, and I don't know what to do with you children.
The thing I would LIKE would be to find a piece of land somewhere, with
a house, any kind of one on it, and take it to rent. Land is about all
I really know. Working for money would be of some interest. I am so
dead tired working for potatoes. Sometimes I see them flying around in
the air at night."

"Do you know of any place you would like?" asked Adam.

"No, I don't," said Kate, "but I am going to begin asking and I'm going
to keep my eyes open. I heard yesterday that Dr. James intends to
build a new house. This house is nothing, but the lot is in the
prettiest place in town. Let's sell it to him, and ta