Thankful merely
glanced at the boy; her interest just then centered upon the fact that
the captain was, or apparently had been, using her horse and buggy
without her knowledge or consent. She certainly had no objection to his
so using it, but it was most unlike him to do so.
"Good mornin', ma'am," he hailed, cheerfully. His eyes were twinkling
and he appeared to be in high good humor.
"Why, good mornin', Cap'n," said Thankful. "I--you--you're goin'
somewhere, I should judge."
The captain shook his head. "No," he replied, "I've been. Had an errand
up to the Centre. I knew somethin' was comin' on the mornin' train so I
drove up to fetch it. Thought you wouldn't mind my usin' your horse and
buggy. Imogene knew I was usin' it."
Thankful was surprised. "She did?" she repeated. "That's funny. She
didn't say a word to me."
"No, I told her not to. You see, the--the somethin' I was expectin' was
for you, so I thought we'd make it a little surprise. Emily--Miss Howes,
she sent it."
"Emily--sent somethin' to me?"
"Yup."
"For the land sakes! Well," after a moment, "did it come? Where is it?"
"Oh, yes, it came. It's right there in the buggy. Don't you see it?"
Thankful looked at the buggy. The only thing in it, so far as she could
see, was the little boy on the seat. The little boy grinned.
"Hello, Aunt Thankful," he said. "I've come to stay with you, I have."
Thankful started, stared, and then made a rush for the buggy.
"Georgie Hobbs!" she cried.
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