“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, Hannah helped him get ready; picked out his necktie for him and loaded him up with clean handkerchiefs and land knows what.  She all but give him her blessin’ afore he started; she did say she hoped he’d have a good time.”

“She did!  Mercy on us!  Is the world comin’ to an end?  Last night she was—­”

“Yes, I know.  Well, we’ve got to give Hannah credit; she’s got a head on her shoulders, even if the head does run pretty strong to mouth.  Imogene’s took her measure, judgin’ by what you said the girl said to you.  Hannah’s thought it over, I cal’late, and she figgers that while there’s life there’s hope, as you might say.  Her brother may be engaged, but he ain’t married, and, s’long’s he ain’t, she’s got a chance.  You