Aw,
Hannah, have some sense, won't you! I'd just as soon go to that Fair
alone as not. I won't be lonesome. Lots of folks I know are goin'; men
and women, too."
"Women? What women?"
"Oh, I don't know. How should I know?"
"Well--well, I suppose likely they are. Imogene said she was goin'
and--"
"Imogene! You mean that hired inmate over to Thankful Barnes'? Humph!
So she told you she was goin', hey? Well, most likely she told a fib. I
wouldn't trust her not to; sassy, impudent thing! I don't believe she's
goin' at all. Is she, Cap'n Bangs?"
The captain, who had remained silent during this family jar, could not
resist the temptation.
"Oh yes, Imogene's goin'," he answered, cheerfully. "She's countin' on
havin' the time of her life over there. But she isn't the only one.
Why, about all the females in East Wellmouth'll be there. I heard Abbie
Larkin arrangin' for her passage with Winnie S. yesterday afternoon. Win
said, 'Judas priest!' He didn't know where he was goin' to put her, but
he cal'lated he'd have to find stowage room somewhere. Oh, Kenelm won't
be lonesome, Hannah. I shouldn't worry about that."
Kenelm looked as if he wished the speaker might choke. Hannah
straightened in her chair.
"Hum!" she mused. "Hum!" and was silent for a moment. Then she asked:
"Is Mrs. Thankful goin', too? I suppose likely she is."
The captain's cheerfulness vanished.
"No," he said, shortly, "she isn't. She wanted to, but she doesn't feel
she can leave the boardin'-house with nobody to look after it.
Pages:
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192