e 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.

"Yes, that is her son," said Kate. "That is exactly the way a man
enters a house that belongs to him."

"That isn't the way I am going to enter my house," said Adam. "Now what
shall we do?"

"Rest half an hour while they talk it over, and then get ready to go
very deliberately. If she doesn't come across, literally and
figuratively, we hunt another boarding place."

"I half believe she will come," said Adam. "She is watching us; I can
see her pull back the blind of her room to peep."

"Keep looking ahead. Don't let her think you see her. Let's go up the
creek and investigate this ravine. Isn't it a lovely place?"

"Yes. I'm glad you got it," said Adam, "that is, if she come across.
I will think of you as having it to look at in summer; and this
winter--my, what rabbit hunting there will be, and how pretty it will
look!"

So they went wandering up the ravine, sometimes on one bank, sometimes
crossing stepping-stones or logs to the other, looking, talking, until
a full hour had passed when they returned to the buggy. Adam began
changing the halter for the bridle while Kate shook out the lap robe.

"Nickel, please," whispered Kate.

Adam glanced across the street to see Mrs. Holt coming. She approached
them and with no preliminaries said: "I have been telling my son about
you an' he hates so bad to go away and leave me alone for the winter,
that he says to take you at the same as the last teacher, even if I do
lose money on it."

"Oh, you wouldn't do that, Mrs. Holt," said Kate, carelessly. "Of
course it is for you to decide. I like the room, and if the board was
right for the other teacher it will be for me. If you want me to stay,
I'll bring my things over and take the room at once. If not, I'll look
farther."

"Come right over," said Mrs. Holt, cordially. "I am anxious to git on
the job of mothering such a sweet young lady. What will you have for
your supper?"

"Whatever you are having," said Kate. "I am not accustomed to ordering
my meals. A