Winnie S.'s depot-wagon bound for Wellmouth
Centre and the train. Before she left the house Imogene made an earnest
request.

"If you don't mind, ma'am," she said, addressing Mrs. Barnes, "I
wish you wouldn't say nothin' to nobody about Mr. Kenelm and me bein'
engaged. And just ask the rest of 'em that heard the--the rough-house
last night not to say anything, either, please."

"Why, Imogene," said Thankful, "I didn't know you wanted it to be a
secret. Seems to me you said yourself that it wasn't any secret."

"Yes'm, I know I did. Well, I suppose 'tain't, in one way. But there
ain't any use in advertisin' it, neither. Kenelm, he's promised to keep
still."

"But, Imogene, why? Seems to me if I was willin' to be engaged to
that--to Kenelm, I wouldn't be ashamed to have folks know it."

"Oh, I ain't ashamed exactly. I ain't ashamed of what I done, not a bit.
Only what's the use of tellin'?"

"But you'll have to tell some time; when you're married, sartin."

"Yes'm. Well, we ain't married--yet."

"But you're goin' to be, I should presume likely."

"Maybe so; but not for a good while, anyhow. If I am it won't make
any difference far's you and me are concerned, ma'am. Nor Mr. Parker,
either; he'll stay here and work long's you want him, married or not.
And so'll I."

"Well, I suppose that's one comfort, anyhow. I won't say anything about
your engagement and I'll ask the others not to. But folks are bound to
talk, Imogene. Miss Parker now--how are you goin' to stop her tellin'?"

Imogene nodded knowingly. "I shan't have to, I'll bet you, ma'am,"
she said. "She ain't so anxious to have it talked about--not s'long as
there's a chance to break it off, she ain't. She'll keep still."

"Maybe so, but folks'll suspect, I guess. They'll think somethin's queer
when you and Kenelm go to the Cattle Show together today."

"No, they won't. Why should they? Didn't Hannah Parker herself go
yesterday with Mr. Hammond? And didn't Mr. Kendrick go with Miss Emily?
Yes, and you with Cap'n Bangs? Lordy, ma'am, I--"

"Don't say 'Lordy,' Imogene," cautioned Thankful, and hastened away.
Imogene looked after her and laughed to herself.

When Captain Obed made his morning call Mrs. Barnes told him of this
conversation.

"And how is Hannah this mornin'?" asked Thankful. "I was surprised
enough to see Kenelm in that depot-wagon. I never thought for a minute
she'd let him go."

The captain chuckled. "Let him!" he repeated. "Why, Hann