After supper Nancy Ellen and Robert went home, while Kate and her
mother sat on the back porch and talked until Kate had a clear
understanding and a definite plan in her mind, which was that much
improvement over wearing herself out in bitter revilings, or
selfish rejoicing over her brothers' misfortune. Her mother
listened to all she had to say, asked a question occasionally,
objected to some things, and suggested others. They arose when
they had covered every contingency they could think of and went
upstairs to bed, even though the downstairs was cooler.
As she undressed, Mrs. Bates said slowly: "Now in the morning,
I'll speak my piece first; and I'll say it pretty plain. I got
the whip-hand here for once in my life. They can't rave and fight
here, and insult me again, as they did Friday night and Saturday
till you got here an' shut 'em up. I won't stand it, that's flat!
I'll tell 'em so, and that you speak for me, because you can
figure faster and express yourself plainer; but insist that there
be no fussing, an' I'll back you. I don't know just what life has
been doing to you, Katie, but Lord! it has made a fine woman of
you."
Kate set her lips in an even line and said nothing, but her heart
was the gladdest it had been in years.
Her mother continued: "Seems like Nancy Ellen had all the chance.
Most folks thought she was a lot the purtiest to start with,
though I can't say that I ever saw so much difference. She's had
leisure an' pettin', and her husband has made a mint o' money;
she's gone all over the country with him, and the more chance she
has, the narrower she grows, and the more discontenteder. One
thing, she is awful disappointed about havin' no children. I pity
her about that."
"Is it because she's a twin?" asked Kate.
"I'm afraid so," said Mrs. Bates. "You can't tell much about
those things, they just seem to happen. Robert and Nancy Ellen
feel awful bad about it. Still, she might do for others what she
would for her own. The Lord knows there are enough mighty nice
children in the world who need mothering. I want to see your
children, Katie. Are they nice little folks, straight and good
looking?"
"The boy is," said Kate. "The girl is good, with the exception of
being the most stubborn child I've ever seen. She looks so much
like a woman it almost sickens me to think of that I have to drive
myself to do her justice."
"What a pity!" said Mrs. Bates, slowly.
"Oh, they are healthy, happy youngsters," said Kate. "They get as
much as we ever did, and don't expect any more. I have yet to see
a demonstrative Bates."