Kenelm gulped and fidgeted. “I—I—I—” he stuttered.
“You see, Hannah,” continued Imogene—“I suppose I might as well begin to call you 'Hannah,' seein' as we're goin' to be relations pretty soon—you see, he's engaged to me now and he'll do what I ask him to, of course.”
“Engaged! He ain't engaged! I'll fix the 'engagement.' That'll be broke off this very minute.”
And now Imogene played her best trump. She took from her waist a slip of paper and handed it to Captain Obed.
“Just read that out loud, won't you, please, Cap'n Bangs?” she asked.
The captain stared at the slip of paper. Then, in a choked voice, he read aloud the following:
I, Kenelm Issachar Parker, being in sound mind and knowing what I am doing, ask Imogene to be my wife and I agree to marry her any time she wants me to.
(Signed) KENELM ISSACHAR PARKER.
“There!” exclaimed Imogene. “I guess that settles it, don't it? I've got witnesses, anyhow, and right here, to our engagement. You all heard us both say we was engaged. But that paper settles it. Kenelm and I knew mighty well that you'd try to break off the engagement and say there wasn't any; but you can't break THAT.”
“I can't? I like to know why I can't! What do you suppose I care for such a—a—”