The weeks passed and no word from them or from Jedediah himself was received.

His letter had come to prove that, at the time it was written, he was alive; whether or not he was still alive, or where he might be if living, was as great a mystery as ever.

Day after day Thankful watched and waited and hoped, but her waiting was unrewarded, and, though she still hoped, her hope grew steadily fainter; and the self-reproach and the worry greater in proportion.
She and Georgie and Imogene spent Thanksgiving Day alone.

Heman Daniels and Mr.Hammond were invited out and Captain Obed, who had meant to eat his Thanksgiving dinner at the High Cliff House, was called to Boston on business connected with his fish selling, and could not return in time.
Early in December Thankful once more drove to Trumet to call upon Solomon Cobb.

The question of the renewal of the mortgage she felt must remain a question no longer.