"It won't do either. But this is awful. I can see how the boys
feel, and really, Mother, this is no more fair to them than things
always have been for the girls. By the way, what are they doing?"
"Same as the boys, acting out their natures. Mary is openly
rejoicing. So is Nancy Ellen. Hannah and Bertha at least can see
the boys' side. The others say one thing before the boys and
another among themselves. In the end the girls will have their
shares and nobody can blame them. I don't myself, but I think Pa
will rise from his grave when those farms are torn up."
"Don't worry," said Kate. "He will have learned by now that
graves are merely incidental, and that he has no option on real
estate where he is. Leave him to his harp, and tell me what you
want done."
"I want you to see that it was all accidental. I want you to take
care of me. I want you should think out the FAIR thing for all of
us to DO. I want you to keep sane and cool-headed and shame the
others into behaving themselves. And I want you to smash down
hard on their everlasting, 'why didn't you do this?' and 'why
didn't you do that?' I reckon I've been told five hundred times
a-ready that I shouldn't a-give him the deeds. Josie say it, an'
then she sings it. NOT GIVE THEM TO HIM! How could I help giving
them to him? He'd a-got up and got them himself if I hadn't -- "
"You have cut out something of a job for me," said Kate, "but I'll
do my best. Anyway, I can take care of you. Come on into the
house now, and let me clean you up, and then I'll talk the rest of
them into reason, if you stand back of me, and let them see I'm
acting for you."
"You go ahead," said Mrs. Bates. "I'll back whatever you say.
But keep them off of me! Keep them off of me!"
After Kate had bathed her mother, helped her into fresh clothes,
and brushed her hair, she coaxed her to lie down, and by
diplomatic talk and stroking her head, finally soothed her to
sleep. Then she went down and announced the fact, asked them all
to be quiet, and began making her way from group to group in an
effort to restore mental balance and sanity. After Kate had
invited all of them to go home and stay until time for the funeral
Sunday morning, and all of them had emphatically declined, and
eagerly had gone on straining the situation to the breaking point,
Kate gave up and began setting the table. When any of them tried
to talk or argue with her she said conclusively: "I shall not say
one word about this until Monday. Then we will talk things over,
and find where we stand, and what Mother wants. This would be
much easier for all of us, if you'd all go home and calm down, and
plan out what you think would be the fair and just thing to do."