eyes, it's all the same
to me," said Mrs. Bates. "The boys always had a mortal itchin' to get
their fingers on the papers in the case. I can't say I don't like the
difference; and I've give you every chance, too, an you WOULDN'T
demand, you WOULDN'T specify. Well, I'll just specify myself. I'm
dead tired of the neighbours taking care of me, and all of the children
stoppin' every time they pass, each one orderin' or insinuatin'
according to their lights, as to what I should do. I've always had a
purty clear idea of what I wanted to do myself. Over forty years, I
sided with Pa, to keep the peace; NOW I reckon I'm free to do as I
like. That's my side. You can tell me yours, now."

Kate shook her head: "I have nothing to say."

"Jest as well," said Mrs. Bates. "Re-hashing don't do any good. Come
back, and come to-day; but stiffen up. That paper you are holding is a
warrantee deed to the home two hundred to you and your children after
you. You take possession to-day. There's money in the bank to paper,
an' paint, and make any little changes you'd like, such as cutting
doors or windows different places, floorin' the kitchen new, or the
like. Take it an' welcome. I got more 'an enough to last me all my
days; all I ask of you is my room, my food, and your company. Take the
farm, and do what you pretty please with it."

"But, Mother!" cried Kate. "The rest of them! They'd tear me limb for
limb. I don't DARE take this."

"Oh, don't you?" asked Mrs. Bates. "Well, I still stand for quite a
bit at Bates Corners, and I say you WILL take that farm, and run it as
you like. It is mine, I give it to you. We all know it wasn't your
fault you lost your money, though it was a dose it took some of us a
good long time to swallow. You are the only one out of your share; you
settled things fine for the rest of them; and they all know it, and
feel it. You'll never know what you did for me the way you put me
through Pa's funeral; now if you'll just shut up, and stick that deed
somewhere it won't burn, and come home an' plant me as successfully as
you did Pa, you'll have earned all you'll get, an' something coming.
Now set us out a bite to eat, and let's be off."

Kate slowly arose and handed back the deed.

"I'll be flying around so lively I might lose that," she said, "you put
it where you had it, till we get to Hartley, and then I'll get a place
in the bank vault for it. I can't quite take this in, just yet, but