boy; it would have been quite as fair; but nothing like that
happens to the boys of this family, it is always the girls who get
left. I have worked for years, knowing every cent I saved and
earned above barely enough to cover me, would go to help pay for
Hiram's land and house and stock; but he wouldn't turn a hand to
help me, neither will any of the rest of you."

"Then what are you here for?" asked Adam.

"Because I am going to give you, and every other brother and
sister I have, the chance to REFUSE to loan me enough to buy a few
clothes and pay my way to Normal, so I can pass the examinations,
and teach this fall. And when you have all refused, I am going to
the neighbours, until I find someone who will loan me the money I
need. A hundred dollars would be plenty. I could pay it back
with two months' teaching, with any interest you say."

Kate paused, short of breath, her eyes blazing, her cheeks red.
Adam went steadily on with his supper. Agatha appeared stiffer
and more uncompromising in the back than before, which Kate had
not thought possible. But the same dull red on the girl's cheeks
had begun to burn on the face of young Adam. Suddenly he broke
into a clear laugh.

"Oh, Ma, you're too funny!" he cried. "I can read your face like
a book. I bet you ten dollars I can tell you just word for word
what you are going to say. I dare you let me! You know I can!"
Still laughing, his eyes dancing, a picture to see, he stretched
his arm across the table toward her, and his mother adored him,
however she strove to conceal the fact from him.