in. And everybody'll want to know
who he is; and when they find he's my brother! And on Christmas Day,
too!"

"Imogene!" it was Emily's voice. "Imogene, where are you?"

Captain Obed roared a greeting.

"Merry Christmas, all hands," he shouted. "Hey, you, John Kendrick; are
you there?"

There was no answer. Thankful did not wait for one; she rushed into the
house. John Kendrick was alone in the living-room when she reached it.
Emily had fled. Thankful looked at Mr. Kendrick and the look gave her
the information she wanted.

"Oh, Mr. Kendrick--John," she cried. "I shall call you John now; I can,
can't I--where is she?"

John smiled. He looked ready to smile at all creation. "I think she is
upstairs," he said. "At least she ran in that direction when she heard
the captain call."

Thankful started for the hall and the stairs. At the door she turned.

"Don't you go away, John," she ordered. "Don't you dare go away from
this house. You're goin' to have dinner here THIS day, if you never do
again."

John, apparently, had no intention of going away. He smiled once
more and walked toward the dining-room. Captain Obed met him at the
threshold.

"Well?" shouted the captain. "Well? What have you got to say for
yourself now, eh?"

John laughed. "Not much, Captain," he answered, "not much, except that
I've been an idiot."

"Yup. All right. But that ain't what I want to know. I want to know--"
he stopped and gazed keenly at his friend's face. "I don't know's I do
want to know, either," he added. "I cal'late I know it already. When a
young feller stands around looking as sheepish as if he'd been caught
stealin' hens' eggs and grinnin' at the same time as if he was proud of
it, then--then there's just one thing happened to him. I cal'late you've
found out why she wouldn't marry Heman Daniels, eh? My, but I'm glad!
You don't deserve it, but I'm glad just the same. Let's shake hands
again."

They were still shaking and the captain was crowing like a triumphant
rooster over his friend's good fortune and the humiliation in store for
the "tattle-tales and character-naggers" among his fellow-townsmen when
Imogene appeared.

"Is Mrs. Thankful here?" she asked. "Well, never mind. You'll do,
Cap'n Bangs. Will you and Mr. Kendrick come out here to the back door a
minute? I'd like to have you witness somethin'."

Captain Obed's forehead wrinkled in surprise.

"Witness somethin'?" he repeated. Then, with a glance at John, w