Part 28 (1/2)
Finally the problem was solved, for her face lighted up as, taking Louis in her arms and seating herself in the rocking-chair, she said cheerily,--
”I don't think William Dean would attempt to make trouble for you now, Jack dear.”
”Neither do I. Mr. Souders probably scolded him for mixin' up the harness, and he won't bother me.”
”Do you feel quite certain of that?”
”Indeed I do.”
”Then would it be too much of a walk for you to go to Treat's store?”
”Of course it wouldn't, Aunt Nancy. You've only to say the word, an'
I'll be off like a shot.”
Jack had seized his hat as he spoke, and appeared to be on the point of rus.h.i.+ng away without waiting for the message, when she stopped him by saying,--
”There's no need of such haste. It will take me some time to fix the errand so you can do it. Last season Daniel Chick farmed the back field for me on shares, and I have quite a lot of wheat on hand. Mr. Treat wanted to buy it, and now I'm going to accept his offer. In case he still wants it, you must bring back some things from the store.”
”Am I to get the coffee?”
”No, that would be too large a bundle. I'll write Mr. Treat a letter, and the remainder of the business you can arrange.”
Jack was delighted at being able to do something toward settling the vexed question, and waited very impatiently for the little woman to make her preparations.
This was quite a long task because a letter was to be written, and after that a list of articles prepared; but finally Aunt Nancy completed the work, and Jack set off at full speed with a generous supply of bread and b.u.t.ter in a neatly tied parcel.
He returned before she fancied he could have more than gotten there, and brought with him the goods required.
”Mr. Treat says he'll tell Daniel Chick to haul the wheat, and you shall know how much there is as soon as it can be weighed. If you want anything more you shall send for it.”
”Did he say I could have some money?” Aunt Nancy asked anxiously.
”He told me to tell you to call on for cash or goods up to thirty dollars, for he was certain it would amount to as much as that.”
”Then everything will be fixed without any trouble, and I will tell Mrs.
Hayes we shall go to the camp meeting. Now, Jack dear, lie down a little while and get rested so you can help me. We must do a great deal of cooking before to-morrow night.”
During the remainder of the afternoon and the day following, the household was in as great a state of confusion and excitement as when arrangements were being made for the sewing circle.
Aunt Nancy, a.s.sisted by Jack, cooked provisions sufficient to have kept a much larger family in food fully two weeks; but the little woman explained she ”never liked to go to camp meeting without having something to give those who might come hungry.”
The neighbors, and, more particularly, Deacon Downs, had called to ascertain if ”the coffee maker” was really going, and Daniel Chick promised to come for her with his wagon at an early hour the following morning.
The deacon agreed to attend to the transportation of the Mocha, and on the evening before the journey was to be made everything appeared to be in ”apple-pie order,” although to Aunt Nancy's eyes the house was far from being in a proper condition.
Jack was both tired and excited.
The prospect of going to a camp meeting pleased him wonderfully, for he had never attended one, and fancied it was something intended for sport rather than anything serious.
The baskets were packed; Louis's suit of white clothes stiff with starch and without a blemish; Jack's boots were polished until they shone like a mirror; and Aunt Nancy spent considerable time bewailing the fact that she could not afford to buy him a new coat and pair of trousers.