第103章

"About your brother workin' here in Kenelm's place.He don't mind.

You don't, do you, Kenelm?"

Mr.Parker, who had been standing upon one foot and pawing like a restless horse with the other, shifted his position.

"No-o," he drawled."I--I don't know's I do."Thankful was disturbed."I'm sorry you said anything yet awhile, Imogene," she said."My plans about Jedediah are hardly made yet.

I do hate to make you lose your place, Kenelm.If I could see my way clear to keepin' two men I'd do it, but I declare I can't see it.""That's all right, ma'am," said Kenelm."I ain't partic'lar.""He don't mind a bit, Mrs.Thankful," put in Imogene."Honest, he don't.He don't have to work unless he's obliged to--not much anyhow.Kenelm's got money, you know.""I know; at least I've heard he had some money.But 'tain't because he needs the money that I feel bad; it's because of his engagement to you, Imogene.I suppose you're plannin' to be married some time or other and--""Oh, that's all right, too," interrupted Imogene eagerly."You needn't worry about our engagement.She needn't worry about that, need she, Kenelm?""No," said Kenelm shortly.

Captain Obed thought it time to repeat his first question.

"Where's Miss Emily?" he asked.

"She's in the livin'-room."

"Is--is anybody with her?"

Imogene nodded."Um-hum," she said gleefully, "he's there, too.""Who?" The captain and Thankful spoke in concert.

"Mr.John Kendrick.I let him in and I didn't tell her who it was at all.She didn't know till she went in herself and found him.

Then I came right out and shut the door.Oh," with another nod, "I've got some sense, even if I did come from the Orphans' Home."Captain Obed and Thankful looked at each other.

"Then he did come here," exclaimed Thankful.

"Course he did.I told you he wa'n't quite a fool.Been there some time, has he?""Yes.Shall I tell 'em you've come? I'll knock first.""No, no." Thankful's reply was emphatic."Where's the rest of the folks?" she asked.

"Georgie and Mr.Cahoon--your brother, I mean--have gone up to the village with the other one, the Cobb man.""What have they gone to the village for?""To help Mr.Cobb get his horse and team at Chris Badger's.He's gone, you know.""Who's gone?"

"Why, the Cobb one.He's gone home again.I tried to get him to stay for dinner; so did Miss Emily.We knew you'd want him to.

But he wouldn't stay.Said he was goin' home.Seemed to me he wanted to get out of the house quick as ever he could.He gave Georgie a dollar for Christmas.""WHAT!" Captain Obed leaned against the corner of the house."Adollar!" he groaned."Sol Cobb gave somebody a dollar for Christmas! Don't pinch me, anybody; I don't want to wake up.Let me enjoy my dream long as I can.Thankful, did you say Sol looked sick?""I said he looked pretty nearly sick when he came down this mornin'.""I believe it.It must have been a mighty serious attack.Did Georgie take the dollar with him?""No.He left it with Miss Emily."

"That's a mercy.The outdoor air may make Sol feel more rational and soon's he came to his senses, he'd want that dollar back.Tut!

tut! tut! Don't talk to ME! I shall believe in ghosts pretty soon."Thankful looked troubled and annoyed.

"I'm awful sorry he went," she said."The poor old thing! He was so miserable I did pity him.I must drive over and see him tomorrow, sure.But what makes me feel the worst," she added, "is to think of Jedediah's cruisin' up to the village dressed in the rags he was wearin'.He looked like--like somethin' the cat brought in.And everybody'll want to know who he is; and when they find he's my brother! And on Christmas Day, too!""Imogene!" it was Emily's voice."Imogene, where are you?"Captain Obed roared a greeting.

"Merry Christmas, all hands," he shouted."Hey, you, John Kendrick; are you there?"There was no answer.Thankful did not wait for one; she rushed into the house.John Kendrick was alone in the living-room when she reached it.Emily had fled.Thankful looked at Mr.Kendrick and the look gave her the information she wanted.

"Oh, Mr.Kendrick--John," she cried."I shall call you John now; Ican, can't I--where is she?"

John smiled.He looked ready to smile at all creation."I think she is upstairs," he said."At least she ran in that direction when she heard the captain call."Thankful started for the hall and the stairs.At the door she turned.

"Don't you go away, John," she ordered."Don't you dare go away from this house.You're goin' to have dinner here THIS day, if you never do again."John, apparently, had no intention of going away.He smiled once more and walked toward the dining-room.Captain Obed met him at the threshold.

"Well?" shouted the captain."Well? What have you got to say for yourself now, eh?"John laughed."Not much, Captain," he answered, "not much, except that I've been an idiot.""Yup.All right.But that ain't what I want to know.I want to know--" he stopped and gazed keenly at his friend's face."I don't know's I do want to know, either," he added."I cal'late I know it already.When a young feller stands around looking as sheepish as if he'd been caught stealin' hens' eggs and grinnin' at the same time as if he was proud of it, then--then there's just one thing happened to him.I cal'late you've found out why she wouldn't marry Heman Daniels, eh? My, but I'm glad! You don't deserve it, but I'm glad just the same.Let's shake hands again."They were still shaking and the captain was crowing like a triumphant rooster over his friend's good fortune and the humiliation in store for the "tattle-tales and character-naggers"among his fellow-townsmen when Imogene appeared.

"Is Mrs.Thankful here?" she asked."Well, never mind.You'll do, Cap'n Bangs.Will you and Mr.Kendrick come out here to the back door a minute? I'd like to have you witness somethin'."Captain Obed's forehead wrinkled in surprise.

"Witness somethin'?" he repeated.Then, with a glance at John, who was as puzzled as he, "Humph! I witnessed somethin' this mornin'