fe, and I've surely paid my way. I shall teach the school I
have signed for."

"You will get into a pretty kettle of fish!" said Adam.

"Agatha, will you sell me your telescope for what you paid for it, and
get yourself a new one the next time you go to Hartley? It is only a
few days until time to go to my school, it opens sooner than in the
country, and closes later. The term is four months longer, so I earn
that much more. I haven't gotten a telescope yet. You can add it to
my first payment."

"You may take it," said Agatha, "but hadn't you better reconsider,
Katherine? Things are progressing so nicely, and this will upset
everything for Nancy Ellen."

"That taking the home school will upset everything for me, doesn't seem
to count. It is late, late to find teachers, and I can be held
responsible if I break the contract I have made. Father can stand the
racket better than I can. When he wouldn't consent to my going, he had
no business to make plans for me. I had to make my own plans and go in
spite of him; he might have known I'd do all in my power to get a
school. Besides, I don't want the home school, or the home work piled
on me. My hands look like a human being's for the first time in my
life; then I need all my time outside of school to study and map out
lessons. I am going to try for a room in the Hartley schools next
year, or the next after that, surely. They sha'n't change my plans and
boss me, I am going to be free to work, and study, and help myself,
like other teachers."

"A grand row this will be," commented young Adam. "And as usual Kate
will be right, while all of them will be trying to use her to their
advantage. Ma has done her share. Now it is your turn, Pa. Ain't you
going to go over and help her?"

"What could I do?" demanded his father. "The mischief is done now."

"Well, if you can't do anything to help, you can let me have the buggy
to drive her to Walden, if they turn her out."

"'Forcibly invite her to proceed to her destination,' you mean, son,"
said Agatha.

"Yes, Ma, that is exactly what I mean," said young Adam. "Do I get the
buggy?"

"Yes, you may take my private conveyance. But do nothing to publish
the fact. There is no need to incur antagonism if it can be avoided."

"Kate, I'll be driving past the privet bush about nine in the morning.
If you need me, hang a white rag on it, and I'll stop at the corner of
the orchard."

"I shall probably be standing