Nancy Ellen glanced in the mirror and smiled, while Kate saw the
smile. She picked up her comb and drew herself to full height.
"If anything ever was a 'foregone conclusion,'" she said, "it is a
'foregone conclusion' that if I HAD been here, I'd have picked the
blackberries, and so I'd have had the first chance at him, at
least."
"Much good it would have done you!" cried Nancy Ellen. "Wait
until he comes, and you see him!"
"You may do your mushing in private," said Kate. "I don't need a
demonstration to convince me. He looks from the picture like a
man who would be as soft as a frosted pawpaw."
Nancy Ellen's face flamed crimson. "You hateful spite-cat!" she
cried.
Then she picked up the picture and laid it face down in her
drawer, while two big tears ran down her cheeks. Kate saw those
also. Instantly she relented.
"You big silly goose!" she said. "Can't you tell when any one is
teasing? I think I never saw a finer face than the one in that
picture. I'm jealous because I never left home a day before in
all my life, and the minute I do, here you go and have such luck.
Are you really sure of him, Nancy Ellen?"
"Well, he asked Father and Mother, and I've been to visit his
folks, and he told them; and I've been with him to Hartley hunting
a house; and I'm not to teach this winter, so I can have all my
time to make my clothes and bedding. Father likes him fine, so he
is going to give me money to get all I need. He offered to,
himself."
Kate finished her braid, pulled the combings from the comb and
slowly wrapped the end of her hair as she digested these
convincing facts. She swung the heavy braid around her head,
placed a few pins, then crossed to her sister and laid a shaking
hand on her shoulder. Her face was working strongly.
"Nancy Ellen, I didn't mean one ugly word I said. You gave me an
awful surprise, and that was just my bald, ugly Bates way of
taking it. I think you are one of the most beautiful women I ever
have seen, alive or pictured. I have always thought you would
make a fine marriage, and I am sure you will. I haven't a doubt
that Robert Gray is all you think him, and I am as glad for you as
I can be. You can keep house in Hartley for two with scarcely any
work at all, and you can have all the pretty clothes you want, and
time to wear them. Doctors always get rich if they are good ones,
and he is sure to be a good one, once he gets a start. If only we
weren't so beastly healthy there are enough Bates and Langs to
support you for the first year. And I'll help you sew, and do all
I can for you. Now wipe up and look your handsomest!"