Captain Obed laughed. “Caleb will have to do without his mornin' newspapers for quite a spell to make up for today's extravagance,” he declared. “That's what 'tis to take the girls around. Better take warnin', John.”
John Kendrick smiled. “Considering,” he said, “that you and I have almost come to blows before I was permitted to even buy a package of popcorn with my own money, I think you need the warning more than I, Cap'n Bangs.”
“Imogene,” said Thankful, “you've been a real, nice girl today; you've helped me out a lot and I shan't forget it. Now you go to bed and rest, so's to feel like gettin' an early start for the Fair tomorrow.”
Imogene shook her head. “I can't go right now, thank you, ma'am,” she said. “I've got company.”
Emily and Thankful looked at each other.
“Company!” repeated the former. “What company?”
Before Imogene could answer the dining-room door was flung open and Hannah Parker rushed in. She was still arrayed in her Sunday gown, which she had donned in honor of Fair Day, but her Sunday bonnet was, as Captain Obed said afterward, “canted down to leeward” and her general appearance indicated alarm and apprehension.
“Why, Hannah!” exclaimed Thankful. “Why, Miss Parker, what's the matter?”
Hannah's glance swept the group before her; then it fastened upon Imogene.
“Where's my brother?” she demanded. “Have you seen my brother?”