sufficiently large to pay her current expenses. She had set the brake
and was wrapping the lines about them when a curious sound attracted her
attention. Looking up she saw approaching the first automobile in
Prouty, driven by Mrs. Abram Pantin. Beside her, elated and
self-conscious, was Mrs. Jasper Toomey. Kate got down quickly to hold
the heads of the leaders, who were snorting at the monster. The machine
was of a type which gave the driver the appearance of taking a sitz
bath in public. Mrs. Pantin when driving sat up so straight that she
looked like a prairie dog. Mrs. Toomey unconsciously imitated her, so
they looked like two prairie dogs out for an airing--a thought which
occurred to Kate as she watched the approaching novelty.

The sheep woman had not met Mrs. Toomey since the day when the final
blow had been given to her faith in human nature. Now while Kate's face
was masklike she felt a keen curiosity as to how Time was using the
woman who had had so much to do with the molding of her character and
future.

She saw Mrs. Toomey's mental start when the latter recognized her, and
the momentary hesitation before she drew back far enough not to be seen
by Mrs. Pantin, and inclined her head slightly. It was the languid air
of a great lady acknowledging the existence of the awed peasantry.

The incident filled Kate with a white fury that was like one of her
old-time rages. Yet she was helpless to resent it. Her resentment would
mean nothing to anybody, even if she had any way of showing it. It was
quite useless at the moment for her to tell herself that Mrs. Toomey was
only a pitiful inconsequential little coward, whose action was in
keeping with her nature. She knew it to be true, yet she was stirred to
her depths by the insult, and if anything more had been needed to keep
her steadfast to her purpose, the incident would have accomplished it.
Sensitive to the extent of morbidness--it was impossible for her to
ignore the occurrence.

Kate's hands were trembling with the violence of her emotions as she
tied a slip noose in a leather strap and secured the horses to the
railing. She made a pretence of examining the harness in order to regain
sufficient self-possession to transact her business in the bank with
the impersonal coolness to which she had schooled herself when it was
necessary to enter that institution.

Mr. Vernon Wentz at his near-mahogany desk was deep in thought when Kate
passed him. He bowed absent