Emily did her best to reassure her relative, telling the latter that of course she could not be forced into parting with what was her own and that Mr. Kendrick was talking merely for effect; but it was plain that Miss Howes herself was troubled.

“I think you should consult a lawyer, Auntie,” she said.  “I am sure I am right, and that that man can’t make you do what you don’t want to do.  But I don’t know, of course, and a lawyer would know because that is his business.  Why don’t you ask John—­Mr. John Kendrick, I mean?  He will advise you.”

Thankful nodded.  “I will,” she said.

But John did not come home for dinner that night.  He had business which called him to Wellmouth Centre that afternoon and it was late in the evening when he returned.  Heman Daniels was late for dinner also, and when he entered the dining-room there was an air of mystery and importance about him which everyone noticed.  Miss Timpson, who seldom permitted reticence to interfere with curiosity, asked him what was the matter.

“I do declare, Mr. Daniels,” she said, “you look as if you had the cares of the nation on your shoulders tonight.  Has anything gone wrong with one of those important cases of yours?”

Mr. Daniels shook his head.  “No,” he answered, gravely.  “My cases are progressing satisfactorily.  My worries just now are not professional.  I heard some news this afternoon which—­er—­upset me somewhat, that is all.”

“News?  Upsettin’ news?  Land sakes, do tell us!  What is it?”

But Mr. Daniels refused to tell.  The news concerned other people, he said, and he was not at liberty to tell.  He trusted Miss Timpson would excuse him under the circumstances.

Miss Timpson was therefore obliged to excuse him, though it was plain that she did so under protest.  She made several more or less direct attempts to learn the secret and, failing, went out to attend prayer-meeting.  Caleb Hammond went out also, though the club, not prayer-meeting, was his announced destination.  Heman finished his dinner alone.  When he had finished he sent word by Imogene that when Miss Howes was at liberty he should like to speak with her.

Emily, who was in the kitchen with Thankful and Captain Obed, the latter having, as usual, dropped in on his way to the postoffice, seemed in no hurry to speak with Mr. Daniels.  It was not until half an hour later, when the message was repeated, that she bade the captain good night and started for the living-room.  Captain Obed and Thankful smiled at each other.

“Heman’s a heap more anxious to see her than she is to see him,” observed the former.  “He’s pretty fur gone in that direction, judgin’ by the weather signs.”

Thankful nodded.

“I cal’late that’s so,” she agreed.  “Still, he’s been just as fur gone with others, if all they say’s true.  Mr. Daniels is a fascinator, so everybody says.”

“Yup.  Prides himself on it, always seemed to me.  But there generally comes a time when that kind of a lady-killer gets hit himself.  Lots of females have been willin’ to marry Heman, but he’s never given ’em the chance.  About so fur he’ll go and then shy off.”