Part 12 (1/2)
Then it was time to attend to old crumple-horn, and when Jack came into the kitchen again supper was on the table.
In view of the fact that he had had such a long tramp, the little woman insisted on his retiring very early, and the Book was opened as soon as the supper-table had been cleared.
On this day Aunt Nancy's evening devotions occupied an unusually long time, and she prayed fervently to be forgiven for her sin of the forenoon,--a fact which caused Jack to say when she had finished,--
”It don't seem to me as if you could ever do anything wicked, Aunt Nancy, an' there ain't any need of fussing about what you said to Farmer Pratt, for G.o.d knows jest how good you are.”
”You mustn't talk like that, Jack dear. There are very many times when I give way to anger or impatience, and there can be no question but that I as much as told a lie when that man was here.”
Jack would have protested that no wrong had been done, but she prevented further conversation by kissing him on both cheeks as she said, ”Good night.”
On the following morning, Aunt Nancy's ”man of all work” took good care she should not be the first one awake.
He arose as the rays of the coming sun were glinting the eastern sky, and when the little woman entered the kitchen the fire had been built, the floor swept, and the morning's milk in the pail ready for straining.
Her surprise at what he had done was sufficient reward for Jack, and he resolved that she should never have an opportunity to do such work while he was sleeping.
”I begin to feel quite like a visitor,” the little woman said with a cheery laugh as she bustled around in her sparrow-like fas.h.i.+on, preparing breakfast. ”This is the first time in a great many years that the fire has been made and the milking done before I got up.”
Thanks to Jack's labors, the morning meal was unusually early, and when it had been eaten and the dishes washed, the hunchback said as he took up his hat,--
”I'll go now an' finish mendin' the fence.”
”Wait until I have seen Mr. Dean. I'm afraid those dreadful boys will do you some mischief.”
”I don't reckon they'll be stirring so early, an' it won't take me more'n an hour longer. While I'm gone, think of somethin' else that needs to be done, for I'd rather be workin' than layin' still.”
”You're a good boy, Jack dear, and I should be very sorry to have you go away from me now.”
”There's no danger of that yet awhile, unless Mr. Pratt takes it into his head to come this way again,” Jack replied with a laugh as he left the house.
It required some search to find the hammer and nails he had thrown down when he was so frightened, and then the task of fence mending progressed famously until a rustling among the bushes caused him to raise his eyes suddenly.
Bill Dean stood before him, looking particularly savage and threatening.
Jack took a yet firmer grasp of the hammer, resolved to defend himself vigorously providing there should be no other enemies in the vicinity.
”So you're still here, eh?” Bill asked sternly.
”Looks like it I reckon.”
”When are you goin'?”
”I haven't quite made up my mind; but I'll write an' tell you before I pack my trunk.”
Bill stepped forward quickly, but Jack persuaded him to go back by swinging the hammer unpleasantly near the bully's head as he said,--
”Don't come too near! You served me out yesterday because there was three in the gang, an' I hadn't anything to defend myself with; but now matters are a little different.”
”Are you goin' to leave this place to-day?” Bill asked, as he retreated a few paces.