"Right at dinner time on Sunday? Well, I'll be switched!" cried
Nancy Ellen.

"Pity you weren't oftener, when you most needed it," said Kate,
passing up the walk and entering the door. Her mother asked the
same questions so Kate answered them.

"Well, I am glad you came home," said Mrs. Bates. "There was no
use tagging to Adam with a sorry story, when your father said
flatly that you couldn't go."

"But I must go!" urged Kate. "I have as good a right to my chance
as the others. If you put your foot down and say so, Mother,
Father will let me go. Why shouldn't I have the same chance as
Nancy Ellen? Please Mother, let me go!"

"You stay right where you are. There is an awful summer's work
before us," said Mrs. Bates.

"There always is," answered Kate. "But now is just my chance
while you have Nancy Ellen here to help you."

"She has some special studying to do, and you very well know that
she has to attend the County Institute, and take the summer course
of training for teachers."

"So do I," said Kate, stubbornly. "You really will not help me,
Mother?"