all the rest of them have," she said. "I thought
you could think up some frills that would be new, and different."

"Well," said Kate, "would you want to go to the expense of setting up a
furnace in the cellar? It would make the whole house toasty warm; it
would keep the bathroom from freezing in cold weather; and make a
better way to heat the water."

"Now you're shouting!" cried Mrs. Bates. "That's it! But keep still.
Don't you tell a soul about it, but go on and do it, Katie. Wade right
in! What else can you think of?"

"A brain specialist for you," said Kate. "I think myself this is
enough for a start; but if you insist on more, there's a gas line
passing us out there on the road; we could hitch on for a very
reasonable sum, and do away with lamps and cooking with wood."

"Goody for you! That's it!" cried Mrs. Bates. "That's the very thing!
Now brush up your hair your prettiest, and put on your new blue dress,
and take the buggy, and you and Adam go see how much of this can be
started to-day. Me and Polly will keep house."

In a month all of these changes had been made, and were in running
order; the painting was finished, new furniture in place, a fair start
made on the garden, while a strong, young, hired man was not far behind
Hiram with his plowing. Kate was so tired she almost staggered; but
she was so happy she arose each morning refreshed, and accomplished
work enough for three average women before the day was over. She
suggested to her mother that she use her money from the sale of the
Walden home to pay for what furniture she had bought, and then none of
the others could feel that they were entitled to any share in it, at
any time. Mrs. Bates thought that a good idea, so much ill will was
saved among the children.

They all stopped in passing; some of them had sharp words to say, which
Kate instantly answered in such a way that this was seldom tried twice.
In two months the place was fresh, clean, convenient, and in good
taste. All of them had sufficient suitable clothing, while the farm
work had not been neglected enough to hurt the value of the crops.

In the division of labour, Adam and the hired man took the barn and
field work, Mrs. Bates and Polly the house, while Kate threw all her
splendid strength wherever it was most needed. If a horse was sick,
she went to the barn and doctored it. If the hay was going to get wet,
she pitched hay. If the men had not time for the garden sh