"I'll go," said Adam, "but it's awful early. It'll snow again.
Let me go after school Friday and stay over night. I'd like to go
and stay over night with Aunt Ollie. Grandma can't say anything
to me that I'll listen to. You keep Polly, and let me go alone.
Sure I can."
"All right," said Kate. "Spade the bed, and let it warm a day.
It will be good for it. But don't tell Polly you're going, or
she'll want to go along."
Until Friday night, Kate and Adam went around in such a daze of
deep thought that they stumbled, and ran against each other; then
came back to their affairs suddenly, looking at each other and
smiling understandingly. After one of these encounters Kate said
to the boy: "You may not arrive at anything, Adam, but I
certainly can't complain that you are not thinking."
Adam grinned: "I'm not so sure that I haven't got it," he said.
"Tell me quick and let me think, too" said Kate.
"But I can't tell you yet," said Adam. "I have to find out
something first."
Friday evening he wanted to put off his trip until Saturday
morning, so Kate agreed. She was surprised when he bathed and put
on his clean shirt and trousers, but said not a word. She had
made some study of child psychology, she thought making the trip
alone was of so much importance to Adam that he was dressing for
the occasion. She foresaw extra washing, yet she said nothing to
stop the lad. She waved good-bye to him, thinking how sturdy and
good looking he was, as he ran out of the front door. Kate was
beginning to be worried when Adam had not returned toward dusk
Sunday evening, and Polly was cross and fretful. Finally they saw
him coming down the ravine bank, carrying his small bundle of
sets. Kate felt a glow of relief; Polly ran to meet him. Kate
watched as they met and saw Adam take Polly's hand.
"If only they looked as much alike as some twins do, I'd be
thankful," said Kate.
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.