“Yes.  But, unless he’s changed more than I’m afraid he has, he’ll be more responsibility than comfort.  He means well enough, poor Jed, but he ain’t what you’d call a capable person.”

“Well, Imogene’s capable enough, and she’ll be here.”

“Yes.”

Silence for a time.  Then Captain Obed spoke.

“Thankful,” he said, earnestly, “I know what’s worryin’ you.  It’s just what you said, the responsibility of it all.  It’s too much for you, the responsibility of handlin’ this big house and a houseful of boarders when they come.  You hadn’t ought to do it alone.  You ought to have somebody to help.”

“Perhaps I had, but I don’t know who ’twill be.  I can’t afford to hire the kind of help I need.”

“Why don’t you take a partner?”

“A partner?  Who, for goodness sakes?”

“Well—­me.  I’ve got some money of my own.  I’ll go in partners with you here. . . .  Oh, now, now!” he added hastily.  “Don’t think there’s any charity in this.  There ain’t at all.  As I see it, this boardin’ house is mighty good business and a safe investment.  Suppose you and I go in partners on it, Thankful.”

Thankful shook her head.

“You’re awfully good,” she said.

“No, I ain’t.”

“Yes, you are.  But I couldn’t do it, Obed.”

“Why not?”

“You know why not.  For the same reason I couldn’t say yes to what you asked me a while ago.  I can’t let you help me out of pity.”

“Pity!” He turned and stared at her.  “Pity!” he repeated.

“Yes, pity.  I know you’re sorry for me.  You said you were.  And I know you’d do anything to help me, even—­even—­”

He interrupted.

“Thankful Barnes,” he said, “did you think I asked you what I asked that time out of pity?”

“Now, Obed—­”

“Stop!  Answer me.  Did you think such a fool thing as that?  You stay right where you are!  I want you to look me in the face.”

“Don’t, Obed!  Don’t!  Let me be.  Don’t!”

He paid not the slightest attention.  He was bending over her, his hand beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him.

“Don’t, Obed!” she begged.

“Thankful, you tell me.  Did you think I asked you to marry me just because I pitied you.  Just because I was sorry for you?  Did you?”

“Obed, please!”

“Thankful, I’ve come to care for you more’n anything else in the world.  I don’t pity you.  I’ve been pityin’ myself for the last month because I couldn’t have you—­just you.  I want you, Thankful Barnes, and if you’ll marry me I’ll be the happiest critter that walks.”

“Oh, Obed, don’t make it so hard for me.  You said you wouldn’t.  And—­and you can’t care—­really.”

“I can’t!  Do you care for me?  That’s what I want to know.”

“Obed, you and I ain’t young folks.  We’re gettin’ on towards old age.  What would folks say if—­”