The captain opened his mouth to protest, but there was an air of finality in Thankful's tone which caused him to defer the protest until another time.
“Well—well, all right,” he said. “That can be talked about later on. But how about yourself? I suppose you'll keep right on with the boardin'-house now?”
“Of course.”
“It'll be pretty hard work for you alone, won't it? Especially if Emily and John should take a notion to get married.”
“Oh, well! I'm used to bein' alone. I shan't mind—much. Why! here we are right at the foot of our path. I've been talkin' so fast I didn't realize we'd got here already. Do you suppose it's safe to go up to the house now, Obed?”
“I guess so. We can go in the kitchen way and I'll make noise enough to warn all hands that we're comin'. Who's that by the back door; John, ain't it? No, it ain't; it's Kenelm.”
Kenelm and Imogene were standing at the kitchen door. When the captain and Mrs. Barnes drew near they saw that they were in danger of interrupting what seemed to be a serious conversation. Neither of the parties to that conversation noticed them until they were close at hand. Imogene had a slip of paper in her hand.
Captain Obed, whose mind was occupied with but one thought just then, asked a question.
“Imogene,” he asked in a loud whisper, “where's Miss Emily?”
Imogene started and turned. Kenelm also started. He looked embarrassed.