The Peters family had all
gone to bury an aunt in the neighbourhood, leaving Polly alone for the
day; and Polly at once called up her mother, and said she was dying to
see her, and if she couldn't come home for the day, she would die soon,
and be glad of it. Kate knew the visit should not have been made at
that time and in that way; but she knew that Polly was under a
dangerous nervous strain; she herself would not go to Peters' in Mrs.
Peters' absence; she did not know what else to do. As she waited for
Polly she thought of many things she would say; when she saw her, she
took her in her arms and almost carried her into the house, and she
said nothing at all, save how glad she was to see her, and she did
nothing at all, except to try with all her might to comfort and please
her, for to Kate, Polly did not seem like a strong, healthy girl
approaching maternity. She appeared like a very sick woman, who sorely
needed attention, while a few questions made her so sure of it that she
at once called Robert. He gave both of them all the comfort he could,
but what he told Nancy Ellen was: "Polly has had no attention
whatever. She wants me, and I'll have to go; but it's a case I'd like
to side-step. I'll do all I can, but the time is short."

"Oh, Lord!" said Nancy Ellen. "Is it one more for Kate?"

"Yes," said Robert, "I am very much afraid it's 'one more for Kate.'"

CHAPTER XXV

ONE MORE FOR KATE

POLLY and Kate had a long day together, while Adam was about the house
much of the time. Both of them said and did everything they could
think of to cheer and comfort Polly, whose spirits seemed most
variable. One minute she would be laughing and planning for the summer
gaily, the next she would be gloomy and depressed, and declaring she
never would live through the birth of her baby. If she had appeared
well, this would not have worried Kate; but she looked even sicker than
she seemed to feel. She was thin while her hands were hot and
tremulous. As the afternoon went on and time to go came nearer, she
grew more and more despondent, until Kate proposed watching when the
Peters family came home, calling them up, and telling them that Polly
was there, would remain all night, and that Henry should come down.

Polly flatly vetoed the proposition, but she seemed to feel much better
after it had been made. She was like herself again for a short time,
and then she turned to Kate and said suddenly: "Mother, if I don't