“Yes, yes, I know what you mean. But what I mean is—is—”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean—I mean why don't you let somebody take care of you? That's what I mean.”
Thankful turned to stare at him.
“Somebody—else—take care of me?” she repeated.
“Yes—yes. Don't look at me like that. If you do I can't say it. I'm—I'm havin' a—a hard enough time sayin' it as 'tis. Thankful Barnes, why—don't LOOK at me, I tell you!”
But she still looked at him, and, if a look ever conveyed a meaning, hers did just then.
“I ain't crazy,” declared Captain Obed. “I can see you think I am, but I ain't. Thankful, I—Oh, thunderation! What is the matter with me? Thankful, let ME take care of you, will you?”
Thankful rose to her feet. “Obed Bangs!” she exclaimed.
“I mean it. I've been meanin' it more and more ever since I first met you, but I ain't had the spunk to say it. Now I'm goin' to say it if I keel over on the last word. Thankful, why don't you marry me?”