“I see,” said Adam.  “I’ll try again.”

After that life went on as usual.  The annual Christmas party was the loveliest of all, because Kate gave it loving thought, and because all of their hearts were especially touched.  As spring came on again, Kate and Adam studied over their work, planning many changes for the better, but each time they talked, when everything else was arranged, they came back to corn.  More than once, each of them dreamed corn that winter while asleep, they frankly talked of it many times a day.  Location, soil, fertilizers, seed, cultivation —­ they even studied the almanacs for a general forecast of the weather.  These things brought them very close together.  Also it was admitted between them, that Little Poll “grappled them with hooks of steel.”  They never lacked subjects for conversation.  Poll always came first, corn next, and during the winter there began to be discussion of plans for Adam and Milly.  Should Milly come with them, or should they build a small house on the end of the farm nearest her mother?  Adam did not care, so he married Milly speedily.  Kate could not make up her mind.  Milly had the inclination of a bird for a personal and private nest of her own.  So spring came to them.

August brought the anniversary of Nancy Ellen’s death, which again saddened all of them.  Then came cooler September weather, and the usual rush of preparation for winter.  Kate was everywhere and enjoying her work immensely.  On sturdy, tumbly legs Little Poll trotted after her or rode in state on her shoulder, when distances were too far.  If Kate took her to the fields, as she did every day, she carried along the half of an old pink and white quilt, which she spread in a shaded place and filled the baby’s lap with acorns, wild flowers, small brightly coloured stones, shells, and whatever she could pick up for playthings.  Poll amused herself with these until the heat and air made her sleepy, then she laid herself down and slept for an hour or two.  Once she had trouble with stomach teeth that brought Dr. Gray racing, and left Kate white and limp with fear.  Everything else had gone finely and among helping Adam, working in her home, caring for the baby, doing whatever she could see that she thought would be of benefit to the community, and what was assigned her by church committees, Kate had a busy life.  She had earned, in a degree, the leadership she exercised in her first days in Walden.  Everyone liked her; but no one ever ventured to ask her for an opinion unless they truly wanted it.

Adam came from a run to Hartley for groceries one evening in late September, with a look of concern that Kate noticed on his face.  He was very silent during supper and when they were on the porch as usual, he still sat as if thinking deeply.  Kate knew that he would tell her what he was thinking about when he was ready but she was not in the least prepared for what he said.