darling at once. I had Robert telegraph them to hold
her until we could get there. We're going to start on the evening
train and if her blood seems good, and her ancestors respectable, and
she looks like that picture, we're going to bring her back with us.
Oh, Kate, I can scarcely wait to get my fingers on her. I'm hungry for
a baby all of my own."

Kate studied the picture.

"She's charming!" she said. "Oh, Nancy Ellen, this world is getting
entirely too good to be true."

Nancy Ellen looked at Kate and smiled peculiarly.

"I knew you were crazy," she said, "but I never dreamed of you going
such lengths. Mrs. Whistler told Robert, when she called him in about
her side, Tuesday. I can't imagine a Bates joining church."

"If that is joining church, it's the easiest thing in the world," said
Kate. "We just loved doing it, didn't we, Little Poll? Adam and Milly
are going to come in soon, I'm almost sure. At least he is willing. I
don't know what it is that I am to do, but I suppose they will give me
my work soon."

"You bet they'll give you work soon, and enough," said Nancy Ellen,
laughing. "But you won't mind. You'll just put it through, as you do
things out here. Kate, you are making this place look fine. I used to
say I'd rather die than come back here to live, but lately it has been
growing so attractive, I've been here about half my time, and wished I
were the other half."

Kate slipped her arm around Nancy Ellen as they walked to the gate.

"You know," said Nancy Ellen, "the MORE I study you, the LESS I know
about you. Usually it's sickness, and sorrow, and losing their friends
that bring people to the consolations of the church. You bore those
things like a stoic. When they are all over, and you are comfortable
and happy, just the joy of being sure of Little Poll has transformed
you. Kate, you make me think of the 'Winged Victory,' this afternoon.
If I get this darling little girl, will she make me big, and splendid,
and fine, like you?"

Kate suddenly drew Nancy Ellen to her and kissed her a long, hard kiss
on the lips.

"Nancy Ellen," she said, "you ARE 'big, and splendid, and fine,' or you
never would be going to Chicago after this little motherless child.
You haven't said a word, but I know from the joy of you and Robert
during the past months that Mrs. Southey isn't troubling you any more;
and I'm sure enough to put it into words that when you get your little
child, she will lead