"Wasn't that a pretty nice room?" asked Adam. "Didn't you kind of
hate to give it up?"
"I haven't the slightest intention of giving it up," answered
Kate. "That woman is a skin-flint and I don't propose to let her
beat me. No doubt she was glad to get four-fifty last fall.
She's only trying to see if she can wring me for a dollar more.
If I have to board all next summer, I shall have to watch every
penny, or I'll not come out even, let alone saving anything. I'll
wager you a nickel that before we leave, she comes over here and
offers me the room at the same price she got last winter."
"I hope you are right," said Adam. "How do you like her?"
"Got a grouch, nasty temper, mean disposition; clean house, good
room, good cook -- maybe; lives just on the edge of comfort by
daily skimping," summarized Kate.
"If she comes, are you going to try it?" asked Adam.
"Yes, I think I shall. It is nearest my purse and requirements
and if the former teacher stayed there, it will seem all right for
me; but she isn't going to put that little stove in my room. It
wouldn't heat the closet. How did you like her?"
"Not much!" said Adam, promptly. "If glaring at your back could
have killed you, you would have fallen dead when you examined the
closet, and bedding, and stove. She honeyed up when she had to,
but she was mad as hops. I nearly bursted right out when she
talked about 'taking time by the fetlock.' I wanted to tell her
she looked like she had, and almost got the life kicked out of her
doing it, but I thought I'd better not."
Kate laughed. "Yes, I noticed," she said, "but I dared not look
at you. I was afraid you'd laugh. Isn't this a fine lunch?"
"Bet your life it is," said Adam. "Ma never puts up any other
kind."
"I wish someone admired me as much as you do your mother, Adam,"
said Kate.
"Well, you be as nice as Ma, and somebody is sure to," said he.
"But I never could," said Kate.
"Oh, yes, you could," said Adam, "if you would only set yourself
to do it and try with all your might to be like her. Look, quick!
That must be her 'Medical Course' man!"
Kate glanced across the way and saw a man she thought to be about
thirty years of age. He did not resemble his mother in any
particular, if he was the son of Mrs. Holt. He was above the
average man in height, having broad, rather stooping shoulders,
dark hair and eyes. He stopped at the gate and stood a few
seconds looking at them, so they could not very well study him
closely, then he went up the walk with loose, easy stride and
entered the house.