"I'd like to go, Cap'n," she said. "Oh, I WOULD like to go! I haven't
had a day off since this place opened and I never rode in an automobile
more'n three times in my life. But I can't do it. You and Emily and John
can, of course, and you must; but I've got to stay here. Some of the
boarders will be here for their meals and I can't leave the house
alone."
Captain Obed uttered a dismayed protest.
"Sho!" he exclaimed. "Sho! That's too bad. Why, I counted more on your
goin' than--Humph! You've just got to go, that's all. Can't Imogene look
after the house?"
"She could if she was goin' to be here, but she's goin' to the Fair
herself. I promised her she could and I must keep my promise."
"Yes, yes; I presume likely you must. But now, Mrs. Thankful--"
"I'm afraid there can't be any 'but,' Cap'n. You and Mr. Kendrick and
Emily go and I'll get my fun thinkin' what a good time you'll have."
She was firm and at last the captain yielded. But his keen
disappointment was plainly evident. He said but little during his stay
at the boarding-house and went home early, glum and disconsolate. At the
Parker domicile he found Kenelm and his sister in a heated argument.
"I don't care, Hannah," vowed Kenelm. "I'm a-goin' to that Fair, no
matter if I do have to go alone. Didn't you tell me I was goin'? Didn't
you put me up to askin' for the day off? Didn't you--"
"Never mind what I did. I give in I had planned for you to go, but that
was when I figgered on you and me goin' together.
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