It was not until yesterday afternoon, when I learned of the--of the
engagement, that I felt certain neither you nor she could misunderstand.
Then I felt perfectly free to send you the deed."
Captain Obed, who had grasped his meaning, would have spoken, but
Thankful spoke first. She, evidently, was quite at sea.
"The engagement?" she repeated. "What engagement?"
"Miss Howes' engagement to Mr. Daniels. They were congratulating him
on his engagement yesterday at the station. I overheard the
congratulations. I had not known of it before."
At last Thankful understood. She looked at the speaker, then at Captain
Obed, and the color rushed to her face.
"And even though Emily--Hush, Obed Bangs! you keep still--and even
though you knew Emily was engaged to Heman Daniels, you could still give
me and her--this?"
"Now, Mrs. Barnes, do you think--"
"Think! John Kendrick, I think I ought to get down on my knees and
beg your pardon for what I've thought these last two months. But I'm
thinkin' right now and you ain't. Heman Daniels ain't engaged to Emily
Howes at all; he's engaged to that Bayport woman, the one he's been so
attentive to for a year or more. Oh, it's true! Winnie S. told me so
just now. The news had just come to town and he was full of it. Heman's
over to Bayport spendin' Christmas with her this very minute."
Even Captain Obed had not a word to say. He was looking at John Kendrick
and John's face was white.
"And I'll tell you somethin' else," went on Thankful, "somethin' that
Emily herself told me last night.
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