“She won’t touch them!” cried Mrs. Comstock.

“Then you can pay us, and she can take them as her right——­”

“I won’t!”

“Then I will tell Elnora just what you are worth, what you can afford, and how much of this she owns.  I’ll loan her the money to buy books and decent clothes, and when she is of age she can sell her share and pay me.”

Mrs. Comstock gripped a chair-back and opened her lips, but no words came.

“And,” Sinton continued, “if she is so much like you that she won’t do that, I’ll go to the county seat and lay complaint against you as her guardian before the judge.  I’ll swear to what you are worth, and how you are raising her, and have you discharged, or have the judge appoint some man who will see that she is comfortable, educated, and decent looking!”

“You—­you wouldn’t!” gasped Kate Comstock.

“I won’t need to, Kate!” said Sinton, his heart softening the instant the hard words were said.  “You won’t show it, but you do love Elnora!  You can’t help it!  You must see how she needs things; come help us fix them, and be friends.  Maggie and I couldn’t live without her, and you couldn’t either.  You’ve got to love such a fine girl as she is; let it show a little!”

“You can hardly expect me to love her,” said Mrs. Comstock coldly.  “But for her a man would stand back of me now, who would beat the breath out of your sneaking body for the cowardly thing with which you threaten me.  After all I’ve suffered you’d drag me to court and compel me to tear up Robert’s property.  If I ever go they carry me.  If they touch one tree, or put down one greasy old oil well, it will be over all I can shoot, before they begin.  Now, see how quick you can clear out of here!”

“You won’t come and help Maggie with the dress?”

For answer Mrs. Comstock looked around swiftly for some object on which to lay her hands.  Knowing her temper, Wesley Sinton left with all the haste consistent with dignity.  But he did not go home.  He crossed a field, and in an hour brought another neighbour who was skilful with her needle.  With sinking heart Margaret saw them coming.

“Kate is too busy to help to-day, she can’t sew before to-morrow,” said Wesley cheerfully as they entered.

That quieted Margaret’s apprehension a little, though she had some doubts.  Wesley prepared the lunch, and by four o’clock the dress was finished as far as it possibly could be until it was fitted on Elnora.  If that did not entail too much work, it could be completed in two hours.

Then Margaret packed their purchases into the big market basket.  Wesley took the hat, umbrella, and raincoat, and they went to Mrs. Comstock’s.  As they reached the step, Margaret spoke pleasantly to Mrs. Comstock, who sat reading just inside the door, but she did not answer and deliberately turned a leaf without looking up.

Wesley Sinton opened the door and went in followed by Margaret.