Emily hurried upstairs with the packages. Captain Obed turned to Thankful.
“How is she these days?” he asked, with a jerk of the head in the direction taken by Miss Howes.
“She's pretty well, or she says she is. I ain't so sure myself. I'm afraid she thinks about—about HIM more than she makes believe. I'm afraid matters between them two had gone farther'n we guessed.”
Captain Obed nodded. “Shouldn't wonder,” he said. “John looks pretty peaked, too. I saw him just now.”
“You did? John Kendrick? He's been out of town for a week or two, so I heard. Where did you see him?”
“At the Centre depot. I was up to the Centre—er—buyin' a few things and he got off the noon train.”
“Did you speak to him?”
“Yes, or he spoke to me. He and I ain't said much to each other—what little we've seen of each other lately—but that's been his fault more'n 'twas mine. He sung out to me this time, though, and I went over to the platform. Say,” after a moment's hesitation, “there's another thing I want to ask you. How's Heman Daniels actin' since Emily come? Seems more'n extry happy, does he?”
“Why—why, no. He's been away, too, a good deal; on business, he said.”
“Humph! He and—er—Emily haven't been extra thick, then?”