hen 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. She might have been engaged to Heman
Daniels; he asked her to be. But she wouldn't have him; she told him
no."

John stepped from behind the desk. "She--she told him no," he repeated.
"She . . . Why?"

Thankful laughed aloud. "That," she cried, "I SHAN'T tell you. If you
don't know yourself then I ain't the one to tell you."

Obed was at her side. "That's enough," he ordered, taking her by the
arm. "That's enough, Thankful Barnes. You come right along with me and
fetch that deed with you. This young feller here has got some thinkin'
to do, I cal'late. His mind needs overhaulin'. You come with me."

He led her out to the sidewalk and on until they reached the postoffice.
Then, still grasping her arm, he led her into that building. The office
was open for a few hours, even though the day was Christmas.

"Here!" he whispered, eagerly. "Stand here by the window where we can
see whether he comes out or not."

"But, Obed, what are you doin'?"

"Doin'! I'm waitin' to see whether that boy is a permanent fool or just
a temporary one. Wait now; wait and watch."

The wait was but momentary. The door of John Kendrick's office opened
and John himself came out. He shut the door, but he did not wait to lock
it. They saw him cross the road and stride off down the lane toward the
shore.

Captain Obed laughed aloud.

"No," he cried, exultantly, "'twas only temporary. He's got his senses
now. Thankful, let's you and me go for a walk. We shan't be needed at
the High Cliff House for a spell--and w