and returned Nancy Ellen's to their places she was still more
amazed, for there hung three pretty new wash dresses, one of a
rosy pink that would make Nancy Ellen appear very lovely.

What was the reason, Kate wondered. The Bates family never did
anything unless there was some purpose in it, what was the purpose
in this? And Nancy Ellen had not gone to Institute. She
evidently had worked constantly and hard, yet she was in much
sweeter frame of mind than usual. She must have spent almost all
she had saved from her school on new clothes. Kate could not
solve the problem, so she decided to watch and wait. She also
waited for someone to say something about her plans, but no one
said a word, so after waiting all evening Kate decided that they
would ask before they learned anything from her. She took her
place as usual, and the work went on as if she had not been away;
but she was happy, even in her bewilderment.

If her father noticed the absence of the letter she had slipped
from his pocket he said nothing about it as he drew the paper and
letters forth and laid them on the table. Kate had a few bad
minutes while this was going on, she was sure he hesitated an
instant and looked closely at the letters he sorted; but when he
said nothing, she breathed deeply in relief and went on being
joyous. It seemed to her that never had the family been in such a
good-natured state since Adam had married Agatha and her three
hundred acres with house, furniture, and stock. She went on in
ignorance of what had happened until after Sunday dinner the
following day. Then she had planned to visit Agatha and Adam. It
was very probable that it was because she was dressing for this
visit that Nancy Ellen decided on Kate's enlightenment, for she