“Whatever it takes to get a decent and a cool dress; cool, mind you,” said Mrs. Bates, “an’ any colour but black.”

“Why, Mother!” cried Nancy Ellen “it must be black!”

“No,” said Mrs. Bates.  “Pa kept me in black all my life on the supposition it showed the dirt the least.  There’s nothing in that.  It shows dirt worse ’an white.  I got my fill of black.  You can get a nice cool gray, if you want me to wear it.”

“Well, I never!” said Nancy Ellen.  “What will the neighbours say?”

“What do I care?” asked Mrs. Bates.  “They’ve talked about me all my life, I’d be kinda lonesome if they’s to quit.”

Dinner over, Kate proposed that her mother should lie down while they washed the dishes.

“I would like a little rest,” said Mrs. Bates.  “I guess I’ll go upstairs.”

“You’ll do nothing of the kind,” said Kate.  “It’s dreadfully hot up there.  Go in the spare room, where it is cool; we’ll keep quiet.  I am going to stay Tuesday until I move you in there, anyway.  It’s smaller, but it’s big enough for one, and you’ll feel much better there.”

“Oh, Katie, I’m so glad you thought of that,” cried Mrs. Bates.  “I been thinking and thinking about it, and it just seems as if I can’t ever steel myself to go into that room to sleep again.  I’ll never enter that door that I don’t see —­ "

“You’ll never enter it again as your room,” said Kate.  “I’ll fix you up before I go; and Sally Whistler told me last evening she would come and make her home with you if you wanted her.  You like Sally, don’t you?”

“Yes, I like her fine,” said Mrs. Bates.

Quietly as possible the girls washed the dishes, pulled down the blinds, closed the front door, and slipped down in the orchard with Robert to talk things over.  Nancy Ellen was stiffly reserved with Kate, but she would speak when she was spoken to, which was so much better than silence that Kate was happy over it.  Robert was himself.  Kate thought she had never liked him so well.  He seemed to grow even kinder and more considerate as the years passed.  Nancy Ellen was prettier than Kate ever had seen her, but there was a line of discontent around her mouth, and she spoke pettishly on slight provocation, or none at all.  Now she was openly, brazenly, brutally, frank in her rejoicing.  She thought it was the best “Joke” that ever happened to the boys; and she said so repeatedly.  Kate found her lips closing more tightly and a slight feeling of revulsion growing in her heart.  Surely in Nancy Ellen’s lovely home, cared for and shielded in every way, she had no such need of money as Kate had herself.  She was delighted when Nancy Ellen said she was sleepy, and was going to the living-room lounge for a nap.  Then Kate produced her sheet of figures.  She and Robert talked the situation over and carefully figured on how an adjustment, fair to all, could be made, until they were called to supper.