“Why do you call them sweethearts, Captain?” she asked. “You don't really suppose—”
The captain burst into a laugh.
“What? Those two?” he said. “No, no, I was only jokin'. I don't know about Hannah—single women her age are kind of chancey—but I do know Caleb. He ain't takin' a wife to support, not unless she can support him. He had a chance to use a horse and buggy free for nothin', that's all; and it would be against his principles to let a chance like that go by. Cal'late he took Hannah 'cause he knew ice cream and peanuts don't agree with her dyspepsy and so he wouldn't have to buy any. Ho, ho! I wonder how Kenelm made out? Wonder if he went on his own hook, after all?”
In the kitchen of the High Cliff House Imogene was washing the breakfast dishes and trying to forget her disappointment. A step sounded in the woodshed and, turning, she beheld Mr. Parker. He saw her at the same time and the surprise was mutual.
“Why, hello!” exclaimed Imogene. “I thought you'd gone to the Fair.”
“Hello!” cried Kenelm. “Thought you'd gone to the Cattle Show.”
Explanations followed. “What ARE you cal'latin' to do, then?” demanded Kenelm, moodily.
“Me? Stay here on my job, of course. That's what you're goin' to do, too, ain't it?”
Mr. Parker thrust his hands into his pockets.
“No, by time, I ain't!” he declared, fiercely. “I ain't got any job no more. I've quit, I have.”