tion for winter. Kate was everywhere and enjoying
her work immensely. On sturdy, tumbly legs Little Poll trotted after
her or rode in state on her shoulder, when distances were too far. If
Kate took her to the fields, as she did every day, she carried along
the half of an old pink and white quilt, which she spread in a shaded
place and filled the baby's lap with acorns, wild flowers, small
brightly coloured stones, shells, and whatever she could pick up for
playthings. Poll amused herself with these until the heat and air made
her sleepy, then she laid herself down and slept for an hour or two.
Once she had trouble with stomach teeth that brought Dr. Gray racing,
and left Kate white and limp with fear. Everything else had gone
finely and among helping Adam, working in her home, caring for the
baby, doing whatever she could see that she thought would be of benefit
to the community, and what was assigned her by church committees, Kate
had a busy life. She had earned, in a degree, the leadership she
exercised in her first days in Walden. Everyone liked her; but no one
ever ventured to ask her for an opinion unless they truly wanted it.

Adam came from a run to Hartley for groceries one evening in late
September, with a look of concern that Kate noticed on his face. He was
very silent during supper and when they were on the porch as usual, he
still sat as if thinking deeply. Kate knew that he would tell her what
he was thinking about when he was ready but she was not in the least
prepared for what he said.

"Mother, how do you feel about Uncle Robert marrying again?" he asked
suddenly.

Kate was too surprised to answer. She looked at him in amazement.
Instead of answering, she asked him a question: "What makes you ask
that?"

"You know how that Mrs. Southey pursued him one summer. Well, she's
back in Hartley, staying at the hotel right across from his office;
she's dressed to beat the band, she's pretty as a picture; her car
stands out in front all day, and to get to ride in it, and take meals
with her, all the women are running after her. I hear she has even had
Robert's old mother out for a drive. What do you think of that?"

"Think she's in love with him, of course, and trying to marry him, and
that she will very probably succeed. If she has located where she is
right under his eye, and lets him know that she wants him very much,
he'll, no doubt, marry her."

"But what do you THINK about it?" asked A