Feel," she said, "and see if my hair isn't
soft and fine. I always cover it in really burning sun; this autumn
haze is good for it. My complexion is exactly as smooth and even now,
as it was the day I first met you on the footlog over twenty years ago.
There's one good thing about the Bates women. They wear well. None of
us yet have ever faded, and frazzled out. Have you got many Hartley
women, doing what you call women's work, to compare with me physically,
Robert?"

"You know the answer to that," he said.

"So I do!" said Kate. "I see some of them occasionally, when business
calls me that way. Now, Robert, I'm so well, I feel like running a
footrace the first thing when I wake up every morning. I'm making
money, I'm starting my boy in a safe, useful life; have you many year
and a half babies in your practice that can beat Little Poll? I'm as
happy as it's humanly possible for me to be without Mother, and Polly,
and Nancy Ellen. Mother used always to say that when death struck a
family it seldom stopped until it took three. That was my experience,
and saving Adam and Little Poll, it took my three dearest; but the
separation isn't going to be so very long. If I were you I wouldn't
worry about me, Robert. There are many women in the world willing to
pay for your consideration; save it for them."

"Kate, I'm sorry I said anything," he said hastily. "I wouldn't offend
you purposely, you know."

Kate looked at him in surprise. "But I'm not offended," she said,
snapping an ear and reaching for another. "I am merely telling you!
Don't give me a thought! I'm all right! If you'll save me an hour the
next time Little Poll has a tooth coming through, you'll have
completely earned my gratitude. Tell Agatha I'll come as soon as I
finish my evening work."

That was clearly a dismissal, for Kate glancing across the field toward
Adam, saw that he had advanced to a new shock, so she began husking
faster than before.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE ELEVENTH HOUR

ROBERT said good-bye and started back toward his car. Kate looked
after him as he reached the fence. A surge of pity for him swept up in
her heart. He seemed far from happy, and he surely was very tired.
Impulsive as always, she lifted her clear voice and called: "Robert!"

He paused with his foot on a rail of the fence, and turned toward her.

"Have you had any dinner?" she asked.

He seemed to be considering. "Come to think of it, I don't believe