to Kate, made her realize that
she had at hand a staff to lean upon, a counselor who, despite her
youth, possessed a certain wisdom that her mother could never hope to
gain.

"Oh, Jemmy," she sighed as one equal to another, "if you had been in my
place, what would you have done about Jacqueline?"

Mrs. Thorpe took the matter into consideration. At length she pronounced
gravely, "If I had been in your place, there never would have been a
Jacqueline"; which ended the conversation for that night.

CHAPTER L

It was not long after this that Kate woke to a realization of the
sacrifices her daughter was making to remain at Storm, and sent her back
post-haste to her patient, neglected husband, and to the new worlds that
remained to conquer.

"Of course I shall be lonely," she admitted in answer to Jemima's
protest. "But I must get used to that. And I shall have my work, now
that I am quite strong again."

Nor would she listen to Jemima's plea, seconded heartily by James
Thorpe, that she leave Storm for a while and make them a visit.

"Suppose Jacqueline should come home, and not find me here?"

Jemima knew that it was not only Jacqueline of whom she thought.

But when Kate said that she had her work to return to, she had reckoned
without her henchman Jenkins, a new broom that was sweeping very clean
indeed. It is an axiom that while it requires creative genius to start
an enterprise, once the momentum is gained any mediocre intelligence may
keep it going. Kate learned this for herself.

During her illness, things had gone on much as usual. Her affairs were
in excellent order. The spring planting had been arranged for; at the
appointed season foals and calves and tottering new lambs made their
appearance in their usual numbers among her pastures; the books showed
no falling off in credits nor increase in debits; fences and roads were
in excellent repair. Jenkins was manifestly eager and able to spare her
all responsibility and trouble. She understood his ambition. There
seemed no reason for her to resume the reins of authority from such
capable hands.

She turned to her immediate household; but there, too, the efficiency
which had been her fetish made interference unnecessary. Her
well-trained servants chuckled among themselves at the Madam's sudden
interest in housecleaning, in linen-closet and pantry, in cookery.

"Laws, Miss Kate, honey! Huccom you dirtyin' up yo' hands with niggers'
work?" demanded Bi