"There is Edwin and here am I," went on the squire. "We are strong enough to do up anybody. Now, what is the matter, Katy?"
"Nothing," insisted Katy.
"You once wanted to sing," Aunt Sally reminded her. "You were wonderful strong for singing."
"Sing!" echoed Katy. "I, sing? I can only caw like a crow."
"You had such plans," said Uncle Edwin. "You were going to be so educated. You were going to bring home your sheaves!"
"I have more sense now," explained Katy.
She looked at them brightly. Her eyes measured their broad shoulders—how she longed to lay her heavy burden upon them! She no longer belonged to her kin, she was an alien; she had allied herself with Koehlers, with William Koehler who was a thief, with Alvin Koehler who scorned her. She would sooner die than tell what she had done. The Gaumers were not niggardly, but they knew the value of money. Even Katy had learned that it took thirty-three and one third weeks to earn fifty dollars!
"You must let me be!" she burst out wildly. "I am not a child. I have no father and mother and my dear grandfather and grandmother are dead. You must let me be! You are persecuting me!"
In an instant the stairway door closed in the faces of her astonished elders. Uncle Edwin got out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
"Millerstown will think we are ugly to her," he said.