She did not look up on the instant the door opened, because she
thought it would be Adam. When she glanced toward the door, she
saw Robert standing looking at her. He had stepped inside, closed
the door, and with his hand on the knob was waiting for her to see
him.
"Oh! Hello!" said Kate. "I thought it was Adam. Have you been
to Agatha's yet?"
"Yes. She is very much better," he said. "I only stopped to tell
you that her mother happened to come out for the night, and
they'll not need you."
"I'm surely glad she is better," said Kate, "but I'm rather
disappointed. I've been swimming, and I'm all ready to go."
She set the pot lid in place accurately and gave her left hand a
deft turn to save the dough from dripping. She glanced from it to
Robert, expecting to see him open the door and disappear. Instead
he stood looking at her intently. Suddenly he said: "Kate, will
you marry me?"
Kate mechanically saved the dough again, as she looked at the pot
an instant, then she said casually: "Sure! It would be splendid
to have a doctor right in the house when Little Poll cuts her
double teeth."
"Thank you!" said Robert, tersely. "No doubt that WOULD be a
privilege, but I decline to marry you in order to see Little Poll
safely through teething. Good-night!"
He stepped outside and closed the door very completely, and
somewhat pronouncedly.
Kate stood straight an instant, then realized biscuit dough was
slowly creeping down her wrist. With a quick fling, she shot the
mass into the scrap bucket and sinking on the chair she sat on to
peel vegetables, she lifted her apron, laid her head on her knees,
and gave a big gulping sob or two. Then she began to cry
silently. A minute later the door opened again. That time it had
to be Adam, but Kate did not care what he saw or what he thought.
She cried on in perfect abandon.
Then steps crossed the room, someone knelt beside her, put an arm
around her and said: "Kate, why are you crying?"
Kate lifted her head suddenly, and applied her apron skirt. "None
of your business," she said to Robert's face, six inches from
hers.
"Are you so anxious as all this about Little Poll's teeth?" he
asked.
"Oh, DRAT Little Poll's teeth!" cried Kate, the tears rolling
uninterruptedly.
"Then WHY did you say that to me?" he demanded.
"Well, you said you 'only stopped to tell me that I needn't go to
Agatha's,'" she explained. "I had to say something, to get even
with you!"
"Oh," said Robert, and took possession. Kate put her arms around
his neck, drew his head against hers, and knew a minute of
complete joy.