a whole family happy was to do something kind for someone else.
But he reflected that there would be far from a happy family at
his grandfather's; and he was right. Grandmother Bates came in
from her hoeing at eleven o'clock tired and hungry, expecting to
find the wash dry and dinner almost ready. There was no wash and
no odour of food. She went to the wood-shed and stared
unbelievingly at the cold stove, the tubs of soaking clothes.

She turned and went into the kitchen, where she saw no signs of
Kate or of dinner, then she lifted up her voice and shouted:
"Nancy Ellen!"

Nancy Ellen came in a hurry. "Why, Mother, what is the matter?"
she cried.

"Matter, yourself!" exclaimed Mrs. Bates. "Look in the wash room!
Why aren't the clothes on the line? Where is that good-for-
nothing Kate?"

Nancy Ellen went to the wash room and looked. She came back pale
and amazed. "Maybe she is sick," she ventured. "She never has
been; but she might be! Maybe she has lain down."

"On Monday morning! And the wash not out! You simpleton!" cried
Mrs. Bates.

Nancy Ellen hurried upstairs and came back with bulging eyes.

"Every scrap of her clothing is gone, and half of mine!"