his feeling by bringing gifts of toys, candy, and unsuitable clothes.  Kate kept these things in evidence when she saw him coming and swept them from sight when he went; for she had the good sense not to antagonize him.  Nancy Ellen came almost every day, proudly driving her new car, and with the light of a new joy on her face.  She never said anything to Kate, but Kate knew what had happened.  Nancy Ellen came to see the baby.  She brought it lovely and delicate little shoes, embroidered dresses and hoods, cloaks and blankets.  One day as she sat holding it she said to Kate:  “Isn’t the baby a dreadful bother to you?  You’re not getting half your usual work done.”

“No, I’m doing unusual work,” said Kate, lightly.  “Adam is hiring a man who does my work very well in the fields; there isn’t money that would hire me to let any one else take my job indoors, right now.”

A slow red crept into Nancy Ellen’s cheeks.  She had meant to be diplomatic, but diplomacy never worked well with Kate.  As Nancy Ellen often said, Kate understood a sledge-hammer better.  Nancy Ellen used the hammer.  Her face flushed, her arms closed tightly.  “Give me this baby,” she demanded.

Kate looked at her in helpless amazement.

“Give it to me,” repeated Nancy Ellen.

“She’s a gift to me,” said Kate, slowly.  “One the Peters family are searching heaven and earth to find an excuse to take from me.  I hear they’ve been to a lawyer twice, already.  I wouldn’t give her up to save my soul alive, for myself; for you, if I would let you have her, they would not leave you in possession a day.”

“Are they really trying to get her?” asked Nancy Ellen, slowly loosening her grip.

“They are,” said Kate.  “They sent a lawyer to get a copy of the papers, to see if they could pick a flaw in them.”

“Can they?” cried Nancy Ellen.

“God knows!” said Kate, slowly.  “I hope not.  Mr. Thomlins is the best lawyer in Hartley; he says not.  He says Henry put his neck in the noose when he signed the papers.  The only chance I can see for him would be to plead undue influence.  When you look at her, you can’t blame him for wanting her.  I’ve two hopes.  One that his mother will not want the extra work; the other that the next girl he selects will not want the baby.  If I can keep them going a few months more with a teething scare, I hope they will get over wanting her.”

“If they do, then may we have her?” asked Nancy Ellen.

Kate threw out her hands.  “Take my eyes, or my hands, or my feet,” she said; “but leave me my heart.”

Nancy Ellen went soon after, and did not come again for several days.  Then she began coming as usual, so that the baby soon knew her and laughed in high glee when she appeared.  Dr. Gray often stopped in passing to see her; if he was in great haste, he hallooed at the gate to ask if she was all right.  Kate was thankful for this, more than thankful for the telephone and car that would bring him in fifteen minutes day or night, if he were needed.  But he was not needed.  Little Poll throve and grew fat and rosy; for she ate measured food, slept by the clock, in a sanitary bed, and was a bathed, splendidly cared for baby.  When Kate’s family and friends laughed, she paid not the slightest heed.