He did not ask the question for information, but to establish the points of his simple discourse.
"Well," said Katy, faintly, from her agitation.
"That is a good start. Now the squire will help and I will help. We have this all arranged between us. Then, when you come of age you will get the money your gran'mom left you. But that you are not to touch for your education. That you will leave by me, because I am your guardian in the law. You were faithful to your gran'mom till the end, and you are not to spend your own money for education. The squire and I will look after that."
The muscles of Katy's face had stiffened and utterance was impossible. All the old, dear, eager hope filled her heart. But Alvin was still precious to her; her sacrifice had been made for him; the sacrifice whose extent she was just beginning to understand. This, however, was no time to think of Alvin. She forced herself to say again quietly that she was not going to school.
"Not—going—to—school!" cried Uncle Edwin with long pauses between his words.
"No," repeated Katy. "I am not going to school."
Then Katy sought her room and her bed.
When Uncle Edwin reported his interview with Katy to the squire, the squire laughed.
"Ach, she just talks that way! She is a little contrary, like all the women when they are tired or not so well. Of course she is going! She was in here not long ago talking about it and I gave her some money for books and other things."
The next day the squire himself spoke to Katy.