"Oh, I wouldn't say that," he said. "You know neither of you is
violently attached to the other. She'll be more careful after
this, I'm sure she will."
"Why, have you been sick?" asked Kate as soon as she saw Mrs.
Holt.
She seemed so nervous and appeared so badly Kate was sorry for
her; but she could not help noticing how she kept watch on her
son. She seemed to keep the width of the room and a piece of
furniture between them, while her cooking was so different that it
was not in the least necessary for George to fix things for Kate
himself, as he had suggested. Everything was so improved, Kate
felt better. She began to sew, to read, to sit for long periods
in profound thought, then to take walks that brought back her
strength and colour. So through the winter and toward the
approach of spring they lived in greater comfort. With Kate's
help, George was doing so well with the school that he was
frequently complimented by the parents. That he was trying to do
good work and win the approval of both pupils and parents was
evident to Kate. Once he said to her that he wondered if it would
be a good thing for him to put in an application for the school
the coming winter. Kate stared at him in surprise: "But your
profession," she objected. "You should be in your office and
having enough practice to support us by then."
"Yes, I should!" he said. "But this is a new thing, and you know
how these clodhoppers are."
"If I came as near living in the country, and worked at farming as
much as you do, that's the last thing I would call any human
being," said Kate. "I certainly do know how they are, and what I
know convinces me that you need not look to them for any
patients."
"You seem to think I won't have any from any source," he said
hotly.
"I confess myself dubious," said Kate. "You certainly are, or you
wouldn't be talking of teaching."
"Well, I'll just show you!" he cried.
"I'm waiting," said Kate. "But as we must live in the meantime,
and it will be so long before I can earn anything again, and so
much expense, possibly it would be a good idea to have the school
to fall back on, if you shouldn't have the patients you hope for
this summer. I think you have done well with the school. Do your
level best until the term closes, and you may have a chance."
Laughing scornfully, he repeated his old boast: "I'll just show
you!"
"Go ahead," said Kate. "And while you are at it, be generous.
Show me plenty. But in the meantime, save every penny you can, so
you'll be ready to pay the doctor's bills and furnish your
office."