Grandmother Bates came in from her hoeing at eleven o'clock tired and hungry, expecting to find the wash dry and dinner almost ready.

There was no wash and no odour of food.
She went to the wood-shed and stared unbelievingly at the cold stove, the tubs of soaking clothes.
She turned and went into the kitchen, where she saw no signs of Kate or of dinner, then she lifted up her voice and shouted: "Nancy Ellen!" Nancy Ellen came in a hurry.

"Why, Mother, what is the matter ?" she cried.
"Matter, yourself!" exclaimed Mrs.Bates.

"Look in the wash room! Why aren't the clothes on the line?
Where is that good-for-nothing Kate ?" Nancy Ellen went to the wash room and looked.

She came back pale and amazed.