"Mary had exceptional ability," said Mrs. Bates.

"I wonder how she convinced you of it. None of the rest of us can
discover it," said Kate.

"What you need is a good strapping, Miss."

"I know it; but considering the facts that I am larger than you,
and was eighteen in September, I shouldn't advise you to attempt
it. What is the difference whether I was born in '62 or '42?
Give me the chance you gave Mary, and I'll prove to you that I can
do anything she has done, without having 'exceptional ability!'"

"The difference is that I am past sixty now. I was stout as an ox
when Mary wanted to go to school. It is your duty and your job to
stay here and do this work."

"To pay for having been born last? Not a bit more than if I had
been born first. Any girl in the family owes you as much for life
as I do; it is up to the others to pay back in service, after they
are of age, if it is to me. I have done my share. If Father were
not the richest farmer in the county, and one of the richest men,
it would be different. He can afford to hire help for you, quite
as well as he can for himself."

"Hire help! Who would I get to do the work here?"

"You'd have to double your assistants. You could not hire two
women who would come here and do so much work as I do in a day.
That is why I decline to give up teaching, and stay here to slave