Seein' those
two go off together that way made me think that pretty soon they'd be
goin' away for good. And I--I was a little lonesome, I guess."
"Sho! sho! You mustn't be lonesome. They won't get married yet awhile, I
cal'late."
"No. I suppose not. But Emily will have to go next week back to her
school, and she'll take Georgie with her. I'll miss 'em both terribly."
"Yes, so you will. But you've got your brother now. He'll be some
company."
"Yes. But, unless he's changed more than I'm afraid he has, he'll be
more responsibility than comfort. He means well enough, poor Jed, but he
ain't what you'd call a capable person."
"Well, Imogene's capable enough, and she'll be here."
"Yes."
Silence for a time. Then Captain Obed spoke.
"Thankful," he said, earnestly, "I know what's worryin' you. It's just
what you said, the responsibility of it all. It's too much for you, the
responsibility of handlin' this big house and a houseful of boarders
when they come. You hadn't ought to do it alone. You ought to have
somebody to help."
"Perhaps I had, but I don't know who 'twill be. I can't afford to hire
the kind of help I need."
"Why don't you take a partner?"
"A partner? Who, for goodness sakes?"
"Well--me. I've got some money of my own. I'll go in partners with you
here. . . . Oh, now, now!" he added hastily. "Don't think there's any
charity in this. There ain't at all. As I see it, this boardin' house
is mighty good business and a safe investment.
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