“Maybe He did.  But it ain’t so strange when you come to think of it.  Your brother came home on Christmas Eve because he thought—­or I shouldn’t wonder if he did—­that you’d be more likely to forgive him and take him in then.  Solomon came over when he did on account of his hearin’ that Holliday Kendrick was comin’.  All days, Christmas or any other, are alike to Sol when there’s a dollar to be sighted with a spyglass.  And as for John’s givin’ you the deed today, I presume likely that was a sort of Christmas present; probably he meant to give it to you for that.  So the Christmas part ain’t so wonderful, after all.”

“Yes, it is.  It’s all wonderful.  I ought to be a very, very happy woman.  If John and Emily only come together again I shall be, sure and sartin’.  Of course, though,” she added, with emphasis, “I shan’t let him give me that land.  I’ll make some arrangement to pay him for it, a little at a time, if no other way.”

The captain opened his mouth to protest, but there was an air of finality in Thankful’s tone which caused him to defer the protest until another time.

“Well—­well, all right,” he said.  “That can be talked about later on.  But how about yourself?  I suppose you’ll keep right on with the boardin’-house now?”

“Of course.”

“It’ll be pretty hard work for you alone, won’t it?  Especially if Emily and John should take a notion to get married.”

“Oh, well!  I’m used to bein’ alone.  I shan’t mind—­much.  Why! here we are right at the foot of our path.  I’ve been talkin’ so fast I didn’t realize we’d got here already.  Do you suppose it’s safe to go up to the house now, Obed?”

“I guess so.  We can go in the kitchen way and I’ll make noise enough to warn all hands that we’re comin’.  Who’s that by the back door; John, ain’t it?  No, it ain’t; it’s Kenelm.”

Kenelm and Imogene were standing at the kitchen door.  When the captain and Mrs. Barnes drew near they saw that they were in danger of interrupting what seemed to be a serious conversation.  Neither of the parties to that conversation noticed them until they were close at hand.  Imogene had a slip of paper in her hand.

Captain Obed, whose mind was occupied with but one thought just then, asked a question.

“Imogene,” he asked in a loud whisper, “where’s Miss Emily?”

Imogene started and turned.  Kenelm also started.  He looked embarrassed.

“Eh!” cried Imogene.  “Oh, it’s you, Mrs. Thankful.  I was wonderin’ where you was.  I’ve been havin’ a little talk with Kenelm here.  It’s all right, Mrs. Thankful.”

“What’s all right?” asked Thankful.

“About your brother workin’ here in Kenelm’s place.  He don’t mind.  You don’t, do you, Kenelm?”

Mr. Parker, who had been standing upon one foot and pawing like a restless horse with the other, shifted his position.

“No-o,” he drawled.  “I—­I don’t know’s I do.”