Polly ran to
meet him. Kate watched as they met and saw Adam take Polly's hand.

"If only they looked as much alike as some twins do, I'd be thankful,"
said Kate.

Adam delivered the sets, said Aunt Ollie and Grandma were all right,
that it was an awful long walk, and he was tired. Kate noticed that
his feet were dust covered, but his clothes were so clean she said to
him: "You didn't fish much."

"I didn't fish any," said Adam, "not like I always fish," he added.

"Had any time to THINK?" asked Kate.

"You just bet I did," said the boy. "I didn't waste a minute."

"Neither did I," said Kate. "I know exactly what the prettiest lot in
town can be sold for."

"Good!" cried Adam. "Fine!"

Monday Kate wanted to get up early and stick the sets, but Adam
insisted that Aunt Ollie said the sign would not be right until
Wednesday. If they were stuck on Monday or Tuesday, they would all
grow to top.

"My goodness! I knew that," said Kate. "I am thinking so hard I'm
losing what little sense I had; but anyway, mere thinking is doing me a
world of good. I am beginning to feel a kind of rising joy inside, and
I can't imagine anything else that makes it."

Adam went to school, laughing. Kate did the washing and ironing, and
worked in the garden getting beds ready. Tuesday she was at the same
occupation, when about ten o'clock she dropped her spade and
straightened, a flash of perfect amazement crossing her face. She stood
immovable save for swaying forward in an attitude of tense listening.

"Hoo! hoo!"

Kate ran across the yard and as she turned the corner of the house she
saw a one-horse spring wagon standing before the gate, while a stiff,
gaunt figure sat bolt upright on the seat, holding the lines. Kate was
at the wheel looking up with a face of delighted amazement.

"Why, Mother!" she cried. "Why, Mother!"

"Go fetch a chair and help me down," said Mrs. Bates, "this seat is
getting tarnation hard."

Kate ran after a chair, and helped her mother to alight. Mrs. Bates
promptly took the chair, on the sidewalk.

"Just drop the thills," she said. "Lead him back and slip on the
halter. It's there with his feed."

Kate followed instructions, her heart beating wildly. Several times
she ventured a quick glance at her mother. How she had aged! How
lined and thin she was! But Oh, how blessed good it was to see her!
Mrs. Bates arose and they walked into the house, where she looked
keenly around, w