"A poor fool, too lazy to be a real doctor, with no conscience about taking people's money for nothing," he said.
"As bad as THAT?" asked Kate.
"Worse! Why?" he said.
"Oh, I only wondered," said Kate. "Now I am ready, here; but I must run to the house where I board a minute. It's only a step. You watch where I go, and drive down."
She entered the house quietly and going back to the kitchen she said: "The folks have come for me, Mrs. Holt. I don't know exactly when I shall be back, but in plenty of time to start school. If George goes before I return, tell him 'Merry Christmas,' for me."
"He'll be most disappointed to death," said Mrs. Holt.
"I don't see why he should," said Kate, calmly. "You never have had the teacher here at Christmas."
"We never had a teacher that I wanted before," said Mrs. Holt; while Kate turned to avoid seeing the woman's face as she perjured herself. "You're like one of the family, George is crazy about you. He wrote me to be sure to keep you. Couldn't you possibly stay over Sunday?"
"No, I couldn't," said Kate.
"Who came after you?" asked Mrs. Holt.