“Yes.”
Silence for a time. Then Captain Obed spoke.
“Thankful,” he said, earnestly, “I know what's worryin' you. It's just what you said, the responsibility of it all. It's too much for you, the responsibility of handlin' this big house and a houseful of boarders when they come. You hadn't ought to do it alone. You ought to have somebody to help.”
“Perhaps I had, but I don't know who 'twill be. I can't afford to hire the kind of help I need.”
“Why don't you take a partner?”
“A partner? Who, for goodness sakes?”
“Well—me. I've got some money of my own. I'll go in partners with you here. . . . Oh, now, now!” he added hastily. “Don't think there's any charity in this. There ain't at all. As I see it, this boardin' house is mighty good business and a safe investment. Suppose you and I go in partners on it, Thankful.”
Thankful shook her head.
“You're awfully good,” she said.
“No, I ain't.”