The remainder of the time before leaving, George Holt spent in the
very strongest mental and physical effort to show Kate how much of
a man he was. He succeeded in what he hoped he might do. He so
influenced her in his favour that during the coming year whenever
any one showed signs of criticising him, Kate stopped them by
commendation, based upon what she supposed to be knowledge of
him.
With the schoolhouse and grounds cleaned as they never had been
before, the parents and pupils naturally expected new methods.
During the week spent in becoming acquainted with the teacher, the
parents heartily endorsed her, while the pupils liked her
cordially. It could be seen at a glance that she could pick up
the brawniest of them, and drop him from the window, if she chose.
The days at the stream had taught them her physical strength,
while at the same time they had glimpses of her mental processes.
The boys learned many things: that they must not lie or take
anything which did not belong to them; that they must be
considerate and manly, if they were to be her friends; yet not one
word had been said on any of these subjects. As she spoke to
them, they answered her, and soon spoke in the same way to each
other. She was very careful about each statement she made, often
adducing convenient proof, so they saw that she was always right,
and never exaggerated. The first hour of this made the boys
think, the second they imitated, the third they instantly obeyed.
She started in to interest and educate these children; she sent
them home to investigate more subjects the first day than they had
ever carried home in any previous month. Boys suddenly began
asking their fathers about business; girls questioned their
mothers about marketing and housekeeping.
The week of Christmas vacation was going to be the hardest;
everyone expected the teacher to go home for the Holidays. Many
of them knew that her sister was marrying the new doctor of
Hartley. When Kate was wondering how she could possibly conceal
the rupture with her family, Robert Gray drove into Walden and
found her at the schoolhouse. She was so delighted to see him
that she made no attempt to conceal her joy. He had driven her
way for exercise and to pay her a call. When he realized from her
greeting how she had felt the separation from her family, he had
an idea that he at once propounded: "Kate, I have come to ask a
favour of you," he said.
"Granted!" laughed Kate. "Whatever can it be?"
"Just this! I want you to pack a few clothes, drive to Hartley
with me and do what you can to straighten out the house, so there
won't be such confusion when Nancy Ellen gets there."