Parker. He saw her at the same
time and the surprise was mutual.
"Why, hello!" exclaimed Imogene. "I thought you'd gone to the Fair."
"Hello!" cried Kenelm. "Thought you'd gone to the Cattle Show."
Explanations followed. "What ARE you cal'latin' to do, then?" demanded
Kenelm, moodily.
"Me? Stay here on my job, of course. That's what you're goin' to do,
too, ain't it?"
Mr. Parker thrust his hands into his pockets.
"No, by time, I ain't!" he declared, fiercely. "I ain't got any job no
more. I've quit, I have."
"Quit! You mean you ain't goin' to work for Mrs. Thankful?"
"I ain't gain' to work for nobody. Why should I? I've got money enough
to live on, ain't I? I've got an income of my own. I ain't told Mrs.
Thankful yet, but I have quit, just the same."
Imogene put down the dishcloth.
"This is your sister's doin's, I guess likely," she observed.
"No, it ain't! If--if it was, by time, I wouldn't do it! Hannah treats
me like a dog--yes, sir, like a dog. I'm goin' to show her. A man's got
some feelin's, if he is a dog."
"How are you goin' to show her?"
"I don't know, but I be. I'll run away, if I can't do nothin' else. I'll
show her I'm sick of her bossin'."
Imogene seemed to be thinking. She regarded Mr. Parker with a steady and
reflective stare.
"What are you lookin' at me like that for?" demanded Kenelm, after the
stare had become unbearable.
"I was thinkin'. Humph! What would you do to fix it so's your sister
would stop her bossin' and you could have your own way once in a while?"
"Do? By time, I'd do anything! Anything, by thunder-mighty!"
"You would? You mean it?"
"You bet I mean it!"
"Would you promise to stay right here and work for Mrs.
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