“Oh, Ma, you’re too funny!” he cried.  “I can read your face like a book.  I bet you ten dollars I can tell you just word for word what you are going to say.  I dare you let me!  You know I can!” Still laughing, his eyes dancing, a picture to see, he stretched his arm across the table toward her, and his mother adored him, however she strove to conceal the fact from him.

“Ten dollars!” she scoffed.  “When did we become so wealthy?  I’ll give you one dollar if you tell me exactly what I was going to say.”

The boy glanced at his father.  “Oh this is too easy!” he cried.  “It’s like robbing the baby’s bank!” And then to his mother:  “You were just opening your lips to say:  ’Give it to her!  If you don’t, I will!’ And you are even a little bit more of a brick than usual to do it.  It’s a darned shame the way all of them impose on Kate.”

There was a complete change in Agatha’s back.  Adam, Jr., laid down his fork and stared at his wife in deep amazement.  Adam, 3d, stretched his hand farther toward his mother.  “Give me that dollar!” he cajoled.

“Well, I am not concealing it in the sleeve of my garments,” she said.  “If I have one, it is reposing in my purse, in juxtaposition to the other articles that belong there, and if you receive it, it will be bestowed upon you when I deem the occasion suitable.”

Young Adam’s fist came down with a smash.  “I get the dollar!” he triumphed.  “I told you so!  I knew she was going to say it!  Ain’t I a dandy mind reader though?  But it is bully for you, Father, because of course, if Mother wouldn’t let Kate have it, you’d have to; but if you did it might make trouble with your paternal land-grabber, and endanger your precious deed that you hope to get in the sweet by-and-by.  But if Mother loans the money, Grandfather can’t say a word, because it is her very own, and didn’t cost him anything, and he always agrees with her anyway!  Hurrah for hurrah, Kate!  Nancy Ellen may wash her own petticoat in the morning, while I take you to the train.  You’ll let me, Father?  You did let me go to Hartley alone, once.  I’ll be careful!  I won’t let a thing happen.  I’ll come straight home.  And oh, my dollar, you and me; I’ll put you in the bank and let you grow to three!”

“You may go,” said his father, promptly.

“You shall proceed according to your Aunt Katherine’s instructions,” said his mother, at the same time.

“Katie, get your carpet-sack!  When do we start?” demanded young Adam.

“Morning will be all right with me, you blessed youngun,” said Kate, “but I don’t own a telescope or anything to put what little I have in, and Nancy Ellen never would spare hers; she will want to go to County Institute before I get back.”

“You may have mine,” said Agatha.  “You are perfectly welcome to take it wherever your peregrinations lead you, and return it when you please.  I shall proceed to my chamber and formulate your check immediately.  You are also welcome to my best hat and cape, and any of my clothing or personal adornments you can use to advantage.”