Thankful answered that she supposed he was, he had no other place to stay.
“Is he rich? He ought to be. Folks in stories always come home rich after they've run off.”
“Well, this one didn't. He missed connections, somehow. Rich! No,” drily, “he ain't rich.”
“Well, what will he do? Will we have to take care of him—free, I mean? Excuse me for buttin' in, ma'am, but it does seem as if we had enough on our hands without takin' another free boarder.”
Thankful went into the dining-room. Emily, when the question was repeated to her, suggested that, possibly, Jedediah might work about the place, take care of the live-stock and of the garden, when there was one.
Imogene reflected. “Hum!” she mused. “We don't need two hired hands, that's a sure thing. You mean he'll take Kenelm's job?”
“That isn't settled, so you mustn't speak of it. I know my cousin will be very sorry to let Kenelm go, largely on your account, Imogene.”
“On my account?”
“Why, yes. You and he are engaged to be married and of course you like to have him here.”
Imogene burst out laughing. “Don't you worry about that, Miss Emily,” she said. “I shan't, and I don't think Kenelm will, either.”