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As they approached the place Nancy Ellen turned

"Father's standing at the gate What shall we do?"

"There's nothing you can do, but drive straight ahead and you and

Robert speak to him," said Kate "Go fast, Robert"

He touched the team and at fair speed they whirled past the white

house, at the gate of which, stiffly erect, stood a brawny man of

six feet six, his face ruddy and healthy in appearance He was

dressed as he prepared himself to take a trip to pay his taxes, or

to go to Court He stood squarely erect, with stern, forbidding

face, looking directly at them Robert spoke to hi "Father," that she n of

recognition They carried away a distinct picture of him, at his

best physically and in appearance; at his worst mentally

"There you have it!" said Kate, bitterly "I'd be safe in

wagering a thousand dollars, if I had it, that Agatha or the

children told, at Hira They kneould pass about this ti, and Father was in his Sunday best, waiting

to shoould happen if we stopped, and that he never

changes histhere dressed that way What do you think, Nancy Elen?"

"That he atching for us!" said Nancy Ellen

"But why do you suppose that he did it?" asked Kate

"He thought that if he were NOT standing guard there, we ht

stop in the road and at least call Mother out He wanted to be

seen, and seen at his best; but as always, in co his