After supper Nancy Ellen and Robert went home, while Kate and her mother sat on the back porch and talked until Kate had a clear understanding and a definite plan in her mind, which was that much improvement over wearing herself out in bitter revilings, or selfish rejoicing over her brothers’ misfortune.  Her mother listened to all she had to say, asked a question occasionally, objected to some things, and suggested others.  They arose when they had covered every contingency they could think of and went upstairs to bed, even though the downstairs was cooler.

As she undressed, Mrs. Bates said slowly:  “Now in the morning, I’ll speak my piece first; and I’ll say it pretty plain.  I got the whip-hand here for once in my life.  They can’t rave and fight here, and insult me again, as they did Friday night and Saturday till you got here an’ shut ’em up.  I won’t stand it, that’s flat!  I’ll tell ’em so, and that you speak for me, because you can figure faster and express yourself plainer; but insist that there be no fussing, an’ I’ll back you.  I don’t know just what life has been doing to you, Katie, but Lord! it has made a fine woman of you.”

Kate set her lips in an even line and said nothing, but her heart was the gladdest it had been in years.

Her mother continued:  “Seems like Nancy Ellen had all the chance.  Most folks thought she was a lot the purtiest to start with, though I can’t say that I ever saw so much difference.  She’s had leisure an’ pettin’, and her husband has made a mint o’ money; she’s gone all over the country with him, and the more chance she has, the narrower she grows, and the more discontenteder.  One thing, she is awful disappointed about havin’ no children.  I pity her about that.”

“Is it because she’s a twin?” asked Kate.

“I’m afraid so,” said Mrs. Bates.  “You can’t tell much about those things, they just seem to happen.  Robert and Nancy Ellen feel awful bad about it.  Still, she might do for others what she would for her own.  The Lord knows there are enough mighty nice children in the world who need mothering.  I want to see your children, Katie.  Are they nice little folks, straight and good looking?”

“The boy is,” said Kate.  “The girl is good, with the exception of being the most stubborn child I’ve ever seen.  She looks so much like a woman it almost sickens me to think of that I have to drive myself to do her justice.”

“What a pity!” said Mrs. Bates, slowly.

“Oh, they are healthy, happy youngsters,” said Kate.  “They get as much as we ever did, and don’t expect any more.  I have yet to see a demonstrative Bates.”

“Humph!” said Mrs. Bates.  “Well, you ought to been here Friday night, and I thought Adam came precious near it Saturday.”

“Demonstrating power, or anger, yes,” said Kate.  “I meant affection.  And isn’t it the queerest thing how people are made?  Of all the boys, Adam is the one who has had the most softening influences, and who has made the most money, and yet he’s acting the worst of all.  It really seems as if failure and hardship make more of a human being of folks than success.”