For a week Hannah's manner toward her brother was sweetness
itself. She cooked the dishes he liked and permitted him to do as he
pleased without once protesting or "nagging." She had done comparatively
little of the latter since the announcement of the "engagement," but now
she was more considerate and self-sacrificing than ever. If Kenelm was
aware of the change he made no comment upon it, perhaps thinking it good
policy to let well enough alone. Gradually the eloping couple began to
feel that their secret was secure and to cease worrying about it. But
Caleb called no more at the Parker cottage and when he and Hannah met
they bowed, but did not stop to converse.
Miss Timpson's sudden departure from the High Cliff House caused less
talk than Thankful had feared. It happened that the "cousin Sarah" to
whose home Miss Abigail had fled, was seized with an attack of grippe
and this illness was accepted as the cause of the schoolmistress's move.
And Miss Timpson herself kept her word; she told no one of the "warning"
she had received. So Thankful was spared the gossip and questioning
concerning the snoring ghost in the back bedroom. For so much she was
grateful, but she missed the weekly room rent and the weekly board
money. The financial situation was becoming more and more serious for
her, and as yet Solomon Cobb had not made known his decision in the
matter of the mortgage.
During the week following Miss Timpson's departure Thankful spent
several nights in the rooms the former had vacated, lying awake and
listening for sounds from the back bedroom.
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