"You may take it," said Agatha, "but hadn't you better reconsider,
Katherine? Things are progressing so nicely, and this will upset
everything for Nancy Ellen."

"That taking the home school will upset everything for me, doesn't
seem to count. It is late, late to find teachers, and I can be
held responsible if I break the contract I have made. Father can
stand the racket better than I can. When he wouldn't consent to
my going, he had no business to make plans for me. I had to make
my own plans and go in spite of him; he might have known I'd do
all in my power to get a school. Besides, I don't want the home
school, or the home work piled on me. My hands look like a human
being's for the first time in my life; then I need all my time
outside of school to study and map out lessons. I am going to try
for a room in the Hartley schools next year, or the next after
that, surely. They sha'n't change my plans and boss me, I am
going to be free to work, and study, and help myself, like other
teachers."

"A grand row this will be," commented young Adam. "And as usual
Kate will be right, while all of them will be trying to use her to
their advantage. Ma has done her share. Now it is your turn, Pa.
Ain't you going to go over and help her?"

"What could I do?" demanded his father. "The mischief is done
now."

"Well, if you can't do anything to help, you can let me have the
buggy to drive her to Walden, if they turn her out."