“Yes, Ma, that is exactly what I mean,” said young Adam.  “Do I get the buggy?”

“Yes, you may take my private conveyance.  But do nothing to publish the fact.  There is no need to incur antagonism if it can be avoided.”

“Kate, I’ll be driving past the privet bush about nine in the morning.  If you need me, hang a white rag on it, and I’ll stop at the corner of the orchard.”

“I shall probably be standing in the road waiting for you,” said Kate.

“Oh, I hope not,” said Agatha.

“Looks remarkably like it to me,” said Kate.

Then she picked up the telescope, said good-bye to each of them, and in acute misery started back to her home.  This time she followed the footpath beside the highway.  She was so busy with her indignant thought that she forgot to protect her skirts from the dust of wayside weeds, while in her excitement she walked so fast her face was red and perspiring when she approached the church.

“Oh, dear, I don’t know about it,” said Kate to the small, silent building.  “I am trying to follow your advice, but it seems to me that life is very difficult, any way you go at it.  If it isn’t one thing, it is another.  An hour ago I was the happiest I have ever been in my life; only look at me now!  Any one who wants ’the wings of morning’ may have them for all of me.  It seems definitely settled that I walk, carry a load, and fight for the chance to do even that.”

A big tear rolled down either side of Kate’s nose and her face twisted in self-pity for an instant.  But when she came in sight of home her shoulders squared, the blue-gray of her eyes deepened to steel, and her lips set in a line that was an exact counterpart of her father’s when he had made up his mind and was ready to drive his family, with their consent or without it.  As she passed the vegetable garden —­ there was no time or room for flowers in a Bates garden —­ Kate, looking ahead, could see Nancy Ellen and Robert Gray beneath the cherry trees.  She hoped Nancy Ellen would see that she was tired and dusty, and should have time to brush and make herself more presentable to meet a stranger, and so Nancy Ellen did; for which reason she immediately arose and came to the gate, followed by her suitor whom she at once introduced.  Kate was in no mood for words; one glance at her proved to Robert Gray that she was tired and dusty, that there were tear marks dried on her face.  They hastily shook hands, but neither mentioned the previous meeting.  Excusing herself Kate went into the house saying she would soon return.

Nancy Ellen glanced at Robert, and saw the look of concern on his face.

“I believe she has been crying,” she said.  “And if she has, it’s something new, for I never saw a tear on her face before in my life.”

“Truly?” he questioned in amazement.

“Why, of course!  The Bates family are not weepers.”

“So I have heard,” said the man, rather dryly.