Captain Obed rose to greet her.

“Well, I swan to man, Miss Howes!” he cried.  “This is a surprise!  I didn’t know you was due for a v’yage in this latitude.”

Thankful laughed.  “Neither did I,” she declared.  “It’s as big a surprise to me as it is to you, Cap’n.  She didn’t write me a word.”

Emily laughed.

“Of course I didn’t, Auntie,” she said.  “I wanted to surprise you.  But you’re glad to see me, aren’t you?”

“Glad!  I don’t believe I was ever so glad to see anybody in my life.”

“We’re all glad to see you, Miss Howes,” announced the captain.  “Come down to make us a little visit, hey?”

“Oh, more than a little one.  You can’t escape so easily.  I am going to stay all summer at least, perhaps longer.  There, Aunt Thankful, what do you think of that?”

CHAPTER VIII

What Thankful thought of it was evidenced by the manner in which she received the news.  She did not say much, then, but the expression of relief and delight upon her face was indication sufficient.  She did ask a number of questions:  Why had Emily come then, so long before her school closed?  How was it that she could leave her teaching?  Why hadn’t she written?  And many others.

Miss Howes answered the questions one after the other.  She had come in May because she found that she could come.

“I meant to come the very first moment it was possible for me to do so,” she said.  “I have been more interested in this new project of yours, Auntie, than anything else in the world.  You knew that; I told you so before I left and I have written it many times since.  I came now because—­well, because—­you mustn’t be alarmed, Auntie; there is nothing to be frightened about—­but the school committee seemed to feel that I needed a change and rest.  They seemed to think that I was not as well as I should be, that I was tired, was wearing myself out; that is the way they expressed it.  It was absurd, of course, I am perfectly well.  But when they came to me and told me that they had decided to give me a vacation, with pay, until next fall, and even longer if I felt that I needed it, you may be sure I didn’t refuse their kind offer.  I thanked them and said yes before they could have changed their minds, even if they had wished to.  They said I should go into the country.  That was just where I wanted to go, and so here I am, in the country.  Aren’t you glad?”

“Glad!  Don’t talk!  But, Emily, if you ain’t well, don’t you think—­”

“I am well.  Don’t say another word about that.  And, Oh, the things I mean to do to help you, Aunt Thankful!”

“Help me!  Indeed you won’t!  You’ll rest and get strong again, that’s what you’ll do.  I don’t need any help.”

“Oh, yes, you do.  I know it.”

“How do you know?”

For just an instant Emily glanced at Captain Bangs.  The captain’s face expressed alarm and embarrassment.  He was standing where Mrs. Barnes could not see him and he shook his head warningly.  Miss Howes’ eyes twinkled, but she did not smile.