Page:Willa Cather - The Song of the Lark.djvu/111

 "Seems like Thea ought to have the choicer of the room, herself," said Mrs. Kronborg.

"But, my dear, she don't want it. Won't have it. I sounded her coming home from church on Sunday; asked her if she would like to sleep in a new room, if we built on. She fired up like a little wild-cat and said she 'd made her own room all herself, and she did n't think anybody ought to take it away from her."

"She don't mean to be impertinent, father. She 's made decided that way, like my father." Mrs. Kronborg spoke warmly. "I never have any trouble with the child. I remember my father's ways and go at her carefully. Thea 's all right."

Mr. Kronborg laughed indulgently and pinched Thor's full cheek. "Oh, I did n't mean anything against your girl, mother! She 's all right, but she 's a little wild-cat, just the same. I think Ray Kennedy's planning to spoil a born old maid."

"Huh! She 'll get something a good sight better than Ray Kennedy, you see! Thea 's an awful smart girl. I 've seen a good many girls take music lessons in my time, but I ain't seen one that took to it so. Wunsch said so, too. She 's got the making of something in her."

"I don't deny that, and the sooner she gets at it in a businesslike way, the better. She 's the kind that takes responsibility, and it 'll be good for her."

Mrs. Kronborg was thoughtful. "In some ways it will, maybe. But there 's a good deal of strain about teaching youngsters, and she 's always worked so hard with the scholars she has. I 've often listened to her pounding it into 'em. I don't want to work her too hard. She 's so serious that she 's never had what you might call any real childhood. Seems like she ought to have the next few years sort of free and easy. She 'll be tied down with responsibilities soon enough."

Mr. Kronborg patted his wife's arm. "Don't you believe