"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 exp