“Engaged!  He ain’t engaged!  I’ll fix the ‘engagement.’  That’ll be broke off this very minute.”

And now Imogene played her best trump.  She took from her waist a slip of paper and handed it to Captain Obed.

“Just read that out loud, won’t you, please, Cap’n Bangs?” she asked.

The captain stared at the slip of paper.  Then, in a choked voice, he read aloud the following: 

I, Kenelm Issachar Parker, being in sound mind and knowing what I am doing, ask Imogene to be my wife and I agree to marry her any time she wants me to.

(Signed) Kenelm issachar Parker.

“There!” exclaimed Imogene.  “I guess that settles it, don’t it?  I’ve got witnesses, anyhow, and right here, to our engagement.  You all heard us both say we was engaged.  But that paper settles it.  Kenelm and I knew mighty well that you’d try to break off the engagement and say there wasn’t any; but you can’t break that.”

“I can’t?  I like to know why I can’t!  What do you suppose I care for such a—­a—­”

“Well, if you don’t, then the law does.  If you make your brother break his engagement to me, Hannah Parker, I’ll take that piece of paper right to a lawyer and make him sue Kenelm for—­for breach of promises.  You know what that means, I guess, if you’ve read the papers same as I have.  I rather guess that paper would give me a good many dollars damage.  If you don’t believe it you try and see.  And there’s two lawyers livin’ right in this house,” she added triumphantly.

If she expected a sensation her expectations were realized.  Hannah was again stricken dumb.  Captain Bangs and Emily and John Kendrick looked at each other, then the captain doubled up with laughter.  Mrs. Barnes and Kenelm, however, did not laugh.  The latter seemed tremendously surprised.

“Why—­why, Imogene,” he protested, “how you talk!  I never thought—­”

“Kenelm, be still.”

“But, Imogene,” begged Thankful, “you mustn’t say such things.  I never—­”

“Now, ma’am, please don’t you butt in.  I know what I’m doin’.  Please don’t talk to me now.  There, Kenelm,” turning to the trembling nominee for matrimonial offices, “that’ll do for tonight.  You go along with your sister and be on hand ready to take me to the Cattle Show tomorrow.  Good night—­er—­dear.”

Whether it was the “dear” that goaded Miss Parker into one more assault, or whether she was not yet ready to surrender, is uncertain.  But, at all events, she fired a last broadside.

“He shan’t go with you tomorrow,” she shrieked.  “He shan’t; I won’t let him.”

Imogene nodded.  “All right,” she said, firmly.  “Then if he don’t I’ll come around tomorrow and tell him I’m ready to be married right away.  And if he says no to that—­then—­well then, I’ll go straight to the lawyer with that paper.”

Ten minutes later, when the Parkers had gone and the sound of Hannah’s tirade and Kenelm’s protestations had died away on the path toward their home, Thankful, John and Captain Obed sat gazing at each other in the living room.  Imogene and Emily were together in the kitchen.  The “engaged” young lady had expressed a desire to speak with Miss Howes alone.