No, he was not trying to be funny.
They started toward the house.

"Katie," he broke out, "if you have any cousinly love in your heart, and know anything about Walt Whitman, tell me something, so I can go back and spring it on Helen.

She's mad over him." "He was one of the 'advantages' I didn't have," said Katie.

"He didn't play a heavy part in the thing I had that passed for an education." "Isn't it the limit the way they 'do you' at those girls' schools ?" agreed Fred sympathetically.

"Helen says that in religion and education the more you pay the less you get." "I should like her," laughed Katie.
But what would her Aunt Elizabeth think of a "sturdy little wretch," believing in the economic independence of woman--whatever that might be--with lots of horse sense, and good on her job! Katie was on the outside now, and for good.