Kate went with her mother, opened her bed, pulled out the pins,
and brushed her hair, drew the thin cover over her, and blew out
the light. Then she went past the bed on her way to the door, and
stooping, she kissed her mother for the first time since she could
remember.
Then she lighted a lamp, hunted a big sheet of wrapping paper, and
sitting down beside the living room table, she drew a rough sketch
of the house. For hours she pored over it, and when at last she
went to bed, on the reverse of the sheet she had a drawing that
was quite a different affair; yet it was the same house with very
few and easily made changes that a good contractor could
accomplish in a short time. In the morning, she showed these
ideas to her mother who approved all of them, but still showed
disappointment visibly.
"That's nothing but all the rest of them have," she said. "I
thought you could think up some frills that would be new, and
different."
"Well," said Kate, "would you want to go to the expense of setting
up a furnace in the cellar? It would make the whole house toasty
warm; it would keep the bathroom from freezing in cold weather;
and make a better way to heat the water."
"Now you're shouting!" cried Mrs. Bates. "That's it! But keep
still. Don't you tell a soul about it, but go on and do it,
Katie. Wade right in! What else can you think of?"
"A brain specialist for you," said Kate. "I think myself this is
enough for a start; but if you insist on more, there's a gas line
passing us out there on the road; we could hitch on for a very
reasonable sum, and do away with lamps and cooking with wood."
"Goody for you! That's it!" cried Mrs. Bates. "That's the very
thing! Now brush up your hair your prettiest, and put on your new
blue dress, and take the buggy, and you and Adam go see how much
of this can be started to-day. Me and Polly will keep house."
In a month all of these changes had been made, and were in running
order; the painting was finished, new furniture in place, a fair
start made on the garden, while a strong, young, hired man was not
far behind Hiram with his plowing. Kate was so tired she almost
staggered; but she was so happy she arose each morning refreshed,
and accomplished work enough for three average women before the
day was over. She suggested to her mother that she use her money
from the sale of the Walden home to pay for what furniture she had
bought, and then none of the others could feel that they were
entitled to any share in it, at any time. Mrs. Bates thought that
a good idea, so much ill will was saved among the children.