Adam delivered the sets, said Aunt Ollie and Grandma were all right, that it was an awful long walk, and he was tired. Kate noticed that his feet were dust covered, but his clothes were so clean she said to him: "You didn't fish much." "I didn't fish any," said Adam, "not like I always fish," he added. "Had any time to THINK?" asked Kate. "You just bet I did," said the boy. "I didn't waste a minute." "Neither did I," said Kate. "I know exactly what the prettiest lot in town can be sold for." "Good!" cried Adam. "Fine!" Monday Kate wanted to get up early and stick the sets, but Adam insisted that Aunt Ollie said the sign would not be right until Wednesday. If they were stuck on Monday or Tuesday, they would all grow to top. "My goodness! I knew that," said Kate. "I am thinking so hard I'm losing what little sense I had; but anyway, mere thinking is doing me a world of good. I am beginning to feel a kind of rising joy inside, and I can't imagine anything else that makes it." Adam went to school, laughing. Kate did the washing and ironing, and worked in the garden getting beds ready. Tuesday she was at the same occupation, when about ten o'clock she dropped her spade and straightened, a flash of perfect amazement crossing her face. She stood immovable save for swaying forward in an attitude of tense listening. "Hoo! hoo!" Kate ran across the yard and as she turned the corner of the house she saw a one-horse spring wagon standing before the gate, while a stiff, gaunt figure sat bolt upright on the seat, holding the lines. Kate was at the wheel looking up with a face of delighted amazement. "Why, Mother!" she cried. "Why, Mother!" "Go fetch a chair and help me down," said Mrs. Bates, "this seat is getting tarnation hard." Kate ran after a chair, and helped her mother to alight. Mrs. Bates promptly took the chair, on the sidewalk. "Just drop the thills," she said. "Lead him back and slip on the halter. It's there with his feed." Kate followed instructions, her heart beating wildly. Several times she ventured a quick glance at her mother. How she had aged! How lined and thin she was! But Oh, how blessed good it was to see her! Mrs. Bates arose and they walked into the house, where she looked keenly around, while her sharp eyes seemed to appraise everything as she sat down and removed her bonnet. "Go fetch me a drink," she said, "and take the horse one and then I'll tell you why I came." "I don't care why you came," said Kate, "but Oh, Mother, thank God you are here!" "Now, now, don't get het up!" cautioned Mrs. Bates. "Water, I said." Kate hurried to obey orders; then she sank on a chair and looked at her mother. Mrs. Bates wiped her face and settled in the chair comfortably.