Part 11 (2/2)
Not one, but half a dozen slices of bread were spread thickly with b.u.t.ter as a dinner for the messenger, and then the little woman wrote on a slip of paper the different articles she needed.
”You must see that Mr. Treat gives you exactly what I've asked for,” she said as she read the list, and explained what the texture or color of each article should be. ”Watch him closely, and be sure he makes the right change.”
Then she gave him the most minute directions as to the road, the time which should be occupied in the journey, and the manner the goods were to be brought home.
A basket was provided for the purchases, and Aunt Nancy said as she gave Jack a ten-dollar note,--
”Tie that in your handkerchief so's to be sure not to lose it, Jack dear, for it's a great deal of money to a lone woman like me.”
He promised to be careful, and kissed the baby good by.
Aunt Nancy leaned over for the same salute, and when it had been given she said in a sorrowful tone,--
”It is a deal of comfort to have you with me, Jack; but I do wish I had been bold enough to tell that man the truth, and then refused to let you go with him.”
”It's lucky you didn't, Aunt Nancy, for he'd been bound to have us any way.”
Then Jack walked swiftly down the daisy-embroidered lane, thinking he was a very fortunate boy indeed in having found such a good friend as the sweet-faced old lady.
CHAPTER VIII.
A SECOND WARNING.
True to his promise, Jack returned before the sun was very low in the western sky, and Aunt Nancy expressed the greatest surprise at seeing him so soon.
”When I send William Dean to the store he needs all day for the journey, and on two or three occasions it has been late in the evening before he came back.”
”It isn't such an awful long walk, but it makes a feller kinder tired, an' I s'pose he had to rest a good while before startin' back. I thought I'd better come the minute the things were ready, 'cause I was afraid you'd do the milkin'.”
”Of course I shall. You don't suppose I'd let you work after that terribly long walk.”
”But I'm goin' to do the ch.o.r.es jest the same,” Jack replied; and to prove his words he carried in the kindlings for morning.
Aunt Nancy was perfectly satisfied with the purchases he made, and until it was time to bring the cow up from pasture she explained her intentions in the way of making clothes for Louis.
”This piece of calico isn't as pretty as some I've had from Treat's,”
she said, unfolding the goods, ”but it seems to be a good quality, and that's the main thing. Now, the question is whether I shall make his frock with a yoke, or plain? What do you think, Jack dear?”
Jack hadn't the faintest idea of what she meant by a ”yoke” or a ”frock,” but, wis.h.i.+ng to please the little woman by giving an opinion, he answered decidedly,--
”I should make it plain.”
”That was just my idea. How queer it is that you should know all about such things, and have good judgment too!”
Jack came very near smiling because of this praise which he did not deserve, but was wise enough not to make any reply, and Aunt Nancy consulted him on every detail until the garment had been fully decided upon.
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