A Daughter of the Land | Page 7

Opportunity! I wonder now
if that might not be another name for 'the wings of morning.' Morning
is winging its way past me, the question is: do I sit still and let it pass,
or do I take its wings and fly away?"
Kate brooded on that awhile, then her thought formulated into words
again.
"It isn't as if Mother were sick or poor, she is perfectly well and
stronger than nine women out of ten of her age; Father can afford to

hire all the help she needs; there is nothing cruel or unkind in leaving
her; and as for Nancy Ellen, why does the fact that I am a few years
younger than she, make me her servant? Why do I cook for her, and
make her bed, and wash her clothes, while she earns money to spend on
herself? And she is doing everything in her power to keep me at it,
because she likes what she is doing and what it brings her, and she
doesn't give a tinker whether I like what I am doing or not; or whether I
get anything I want out of it or not; or whether I miss getting off to
Normal on time or not. She is blame selfish, that's what she is, so she
won't like the jolt she's going to get; but it will benefit her soul, her soul
that her pretty face keeps her from developing, so I shall give her a
little valuable assistance. Mother will be furious and Father will have
the buggy whip convenient; but I am going! I don't know how, or when,
but I am GOING.
"Who has a thirst for knowledge, in Helicon may slake it, If he has still,
the Roman will, to find a way, or make it."
Kate arose tall and straight and addressed the surrounding woods.
"Now you just watch me 'find a way or make it,'" she said. "I am 'taking
the wings of morning,' observe my flight! See me cut curves and circles
and sail and soar around all the other Bates girls the Lord ever made,
one named Nancy Ellen in particular. It must be far past noon, and I've
much to do to get ready. I fly!"
Kate walked back to the highway, but instead of going on she turned
toward home. When she reached the gate she saw Nancy Ellen, dressed
her prettiest, sitting beneath a cherry tree reading a book, in very plain
view from the road. As Kate came up the path: "Hello!" said Nancy
Ellen. "Wasn't Adam at home?"
"I don't know," answered Kate. "I was not there."
"You weren't? Why, where were you?" asked Nancy Ellen.
"Oh, I just took a walk!" answered Kate.
"Right at dinner time on Sunday? Well, I'll be switched!" cried Nancy

Ellen.
"Pity you weren't oftener, when you most needed it," said Kate, passing
up the walk and entering the door. Her mother asked the same
questions so Kate answered them.
"Well, I am glad you came home," said Mrs. Bates. "There was no use
tagging to Adam with a sorry story, when your father said flatly that
you couldn't go."
"But I must go!" urged Kate. "I have as good a right to my chance as
the others. If you put your foot down and say so, Mother, Father will let
me go. Why shouldn't I have the same chance as Nancy Ellen? Please
Mother, let me go!"
"You stay right where you are. There is an awful summer's work before
us," said Mrs. Bates.
"There always is," answered Kate. "But now is just my chance while
you have Nancy Ellen here to help you."
"She has some special studying to do, and you very well know that she
has to attend the County Institute, and take the summer course of
training for teachers."
"So do I," said Kate, stubbornly. "You really will not help me,
Mother?"
"I've said my say! Your place is here! Here you stay!" answered her
mother.
"All right," said Kate, "I'll cross you off the docket of my hopes, and
try Father."
"Well, I warn you, you had better not! He has been nagged until his
patience is lost," said Mrs. Bates.
Kate closed her lips and started in search of her father. She found him
leaning on the pig pen watching pigs grow into money, one of his most

favoured occupations. He scowled at her, drawing his huge frame to
full height.
"I don't want to hear a word you have to say," he said. "You are the
youngest, and your place is in the kitchen helping your mother. We
have got the last installment to pay on Hiram's land this summer.
March back to the house and busy yourself with something useful!"
Kate looked at him, from