Part 27 (1/2)
CHAPTER XVI.
A HURRIED DEPARTURE.
It was not until the following morning that Aunt Nancy paid any particular attention to the circular regarding camp meeting which Bill Dean had brought.
Then, as Jack came in from milking, she said with a suddenness which caused the boy to start in surprise,--
”I have been thinking about the camp meeting. What is your opinion?”
”I don't know what you mean.”
”You remember the paper which William Dean brought last night?”
”Yes.”
”Well, it was the time-table of the trains which run to the grounds.
Somehow your coming upset me so I had forgotten all about the meeting, and if I should miss it, it would be the first time since I was quite a young girl.”
”When does it begin?”
”Day after to-morrow.”
”Why don't you go? I can stay here an' take care of crumple-horn and Louis well enough.”
”Bless you, child, I wouldn't think of leaving you alone three or four days.”
”Would you be gone as long as that?”
”A great many stay the whole week, and I did one year; but it was almost too tedious.”
”Well, both of us couldn't be away at the same time, an'--”
”Why not?”
”Because the cow must be milked an' put in the barn.”
”Daniel Chick's daughters have always done that for me, and would again.”
”But what about Louis?”
”I have been wondering whether I couldn't take him with me.”
”It would be terrible hard work to lug a baby 'round all the time.”
”If you went I should be relieved of the greater portion of that care.”
”It seems as if you had pretty nigh made up your mind already.”
”There is only one thing which prevents me, and I can't figure it out,”
the little woman said with an air of anxiety.