Mrs. Bates thought that
a good idea, so much ill will was saved among the children.
They all stopped in passing; some of them had sharp words to say,
which Kate instantly answered in such a way that this was seldom
tried twice. In two months the place was fresh, clean,
convenient, and in good taste. All of them had sufficient
suitable clothing, while the farm work had not been neglected
enough to hurt the value of the crops.
In the division of labour, Adam and the hired man took the barn
and field work, Mrs. Bates and Polly the house, while Kate threw
all her splendid strength wherever it was most needed. If a horse
was sick, she went to the barn and doctored it. If the hay was
going to get wet, she pitched hay. If the men had not time for
the garden she attended it, and hoed the potatoes. For a change,
everything went right. Mrs. Bates was happier than she ever had
been before, taking the greatest interest in the children. They
had lived for three years in such a manner that they would never
forget it. They were old enough to appreciate what changes had
come to them, and to be very keen about their new home and life.
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