e of Winnie S. shouting "Whoa!"
to General Jackson.

Thankful, who had been in the kitchen superintending Imogene, who was
learning rapidly, came hurrying to the front door. The group in the
parlor heard her utter an exclamation, an exclamation of surprise and
delight. There were other exclamations, also in a feminine voice,
and the sounds of affectionate greetings. Then Mrs. Barnes, her face
beaming, ushered into the living-room a young woman. And this young
woman was her cousin, Emily Howes.

Captain Obed rose to greet her.

"Well, I swan to man, Miss Howes!" he cried. "This IS a surprise! I
didn't know you was due for a v'yage in this latitude."

Thankful laughed. "Neither did I," she declared. "It's as big a surprise
to me as it is to you, Cap'n. She didn't write me a word."

Emily laughed.

"Of course I didn't, Auntie," she said. "I wanted to surprise you. But
you're glad to see me, aren't you?"

"GLAD! I don't believe I was ever so glad to see anybody in MY life."

"We're all glad to see you, Miss Howes," announced the captain. "Come
down to make us a little visit, hey?"

"Oh, more than a little one. You can't escape so easily. I am going to
stay all summer at least, perhaps longer. There, Aunt Thankful, what do
you think of that?"

CHAPTER VIII

What Thankful thought of it was evidenced by the manner in which she
received the news. She did not say much, then, but the expression of
relief and delight upon her face was indication sufficient. She did
ask a number of questions: Why had Emily come then, so long before her
school closed? How was it that she could leave her teaching? Why hadn't
she written? And many others.

Miss Howes answered the questions one after the other. She had come in
May because she found that she could come.

"I meant to come the very first moment it was possible for me to do so,"
she said. "I have been more interested in this new project of yours,
Auntie, than anything else in the world. You knew that; I told you
so before I left and I have written it many times since. I came now
because--well, because--you mustn't be alarmed, Auntie; there is nothing
to be frightened about--but the school committee seemed to feel that I
needed a change and rest. They seemed to think that I was not as well as
I should be, that I was tired, was wearing myself out; that is the way
they expressed it. It was absurd, of course, I am perfectly well. But
when they came to me and told me th