Part 26 (1/2)

”Does he know the captain?”

”He's never heard of him! It's so surprising when I think of how many people he used to be acquainted with when he lived here.”

”What does he say about it?”

”Nothing of any consequence, and writes as if he was provoked because I asked the question. Wants to know how I suppose he can find a man who was exploded in a vessel at sea; and I can't say but there is considerable good sense in his asking that, for of course when the s.h.i.+p blowed to pieces that settled the whole thing.”

”But the captain might have been saved, and, besides, while we were in sight the 'Atlanta' looked whole and sound as before the explosion.”

”But if she didn't go to pieces why hasn't the captain come after his son?”

This was a question which Jack could not answer, and had to remain silent.

”According to Abner's story, he don't know many of the York State folks except them as lives in Binghamton. Perhaps he's settling down, and isn't as newsy as when he was with me.”

”If he can't help us, what are Louis an' I to do?”

”Stay here, of course.”

”But, Aunt Nancy, I must try to find Louis's relations, even if his father and mother are dead.”

”I reckon you're bound to do that somehow; but there's no sense in trying to walk to New York while the weather is so hot.”

Then the little woman, as if believing the matter had been finally settled, began to speak of the subject which was very near her heart, and for at least the hundredth time Jack was forced to listen to her lamentations because of the equivocation when Farmer Pratt called.

It was particularly hard for him to remain quiet during her self-accusations, for now that it was useless to expect ”brother Abner”

could do anything in the way of learning the details concerning the fate of the good s.h.i.+p ”Atlanta,” it seemed in the highest degree important to decide upon some course of action.

He was well content to stay where he was a certain time; but it seemed as if he should have at least some idea of what was to be done in the future.

Aunt Nancy did not give him an opportunity to discuss the matter, however, and when the hour came to search the house for supposed burglars he was in a fine state of perplexity.

On the following morning it seemed as if the little woman had dismissed all such thoughts from her mind, for whenever she spoke to Jack it was upon anything rather than how he might best accomplish that which he believed to be his duty.

He noticed she was particularly tender toward Louis, and gave him an unusual amount of attention when she thought he and she were alone.

It was on this day Mrs. Souders called, and during fully half an hour was closeted with Aunt Nancy, after which she met Jack in the yard when her greeting was more than cordial, but never a word was spoken in reference to the incidents of the day she allowed anger to overcome judgment.

Since Jack had not expected anything in the way of an apology, he was agreeably surprised by the change in her manner toward him, and felt that ample reparation had been made.

What the lady may have said to Aunt Nancy will never be known, for the little woman maintained the most perfect secrecy regarding it, despite the fact that Jack questioned her as closely as he dared.

It was on the evening of this day when they were sitting under the old oak, and Louis was playing in front of them, that Bill Dean walked boldly into the yard, accosting Aunt Nancy as if he and she were on the most friendly terms.

Jack was so thoroughly surprised that he experienced the sensation of one who has suddenly been plunged into cold water, for the a.s.surance of the boy was more than he could understand until Master Dean handed Aunt Nancy a printed circular, as he said,--

”I've been hired to carry these around, an' I know you allers go to camp meetin', so I stopped here first. I s'pose you think I'm kinder tough; but them as come here lookin' for jobs without wantin' to work ain't so good as you believe they are.”