toward the approach of spring they lived in greater comfort.  With Kate’s help, George was doing so well with the school that he was frequently complimented by the parents.  That he was trying to do good work and win the approval of both pupils and parents was evident to Kate.  Once he said to her that he wondered if it would be a good thing for him to put in an application for the school the coming winter.  Kate stared at him in surprise:  “But your profession,” she objected.  “You should be in your office and having enough practice to support us by then.”

“Yes, I should!” he said.  “But this is a new thing, and you know how these clodhoppers are.”

“If I came as near living in the country, and worked at farming as much as you do, that’s the last thing I would call any human being,” said Kate.  “I certainly do know how they are, and what I know convinces me that you need not look to them for any patients.”

“You seem to think I won’t have any from any source,” he said hotly.

“I confess myself dubious,” said Kate.  “You certainly are, or you wouldn’t be talking of teaching.”

“Well, I’ll just show you!” he cried.

“I’m waiting,” said Kate.  “But as we must live in the meantime, and it will be so long before I can earn anything again, and so much expense, possibly it would be a good idea to have the school to fall back on, if you shouldn’t have the patients you hope for this summer.  I think you have done well with the school.  Do your level best until the term closes, and you may have a chance.”

Laughing scornfully, he repeated his old boast:  “I’ll just show you!”

“Go ahead,” said Kate.  “And while you are at it, be generous.  Show me plenty.  But in the meantime, save every penny you can, so you’ll be ready to pay the doctor’s bills and furnish your office.”

“I love you advice; it’s so Batesy,” he said.  “I have money saved for both contingencies you mention, but I’ll tell you what I think, and about this I’m the one who knows.  I’ve told you repeatedly winter is my best time.  I’ve lost the winter trying to help you out; and I’ve little chance until winter comes again.  It takes cold weather to make folks feel what ails their muscles, and my treatment is mostly muscular.  To save so we can get a real start, wouldn’t it be a good idea for you to put part of your things in my room, take what you must have, and fix Mother’s bedroom for you, let her move her bed into her living room, and spare me all you can of your things to fix up your room for my office this summer.  That would save rent, it’s only a few steps from downtown, and when I wasn’t busy with patients, I could be handy to the garden, and to help you.”

“If your mother is willing, I’ll do my share,” said Kate, “although the room’s cramped, and where I’ll put the small party when he comes I don’t know, but I’ll manage someway.  The big objection to it is that it will make it look to people as if it were a makeshift, instead of starting a real business.”