Part 33 (1/2)
”I wouldn't go out there”; and he motioned toward the barn.
Aunt Nancy looked at him an instant, appearing to understand what he meant, for she re-entered the house, leaving Jack on the doorstep in a profound study.
He could hear Louis's voice from the ”fore-room” now and then, therefore it was not necessary to tell him the little woman had gone there to hide her grief.
”I must do something” he said to himself, ”an' what I first thought of seems to be the only show.”
Then going to the door of the ”fore-room” and knocking gently, he said in a low tone,--
”Aunt Nancy, could you spare me a little while?”
”Where are you bound, Jack?”
”I'd like to run down to Treat's store if you don't care.”
Aunt Nancy opened the door, and Jack noticed her eyes were red from weeping.
”What is your idea of going there?” she asked in surprise.
”I've got some business that I'd rather not explain till I get back.”
”There's nothing to prevent, my child, and I can trust you not to do anything wrong.”
”I should hope you could,” Jack replied emphatically. ”You shall know all about it when I come home.”
”Don't try to walk too fast, but return as soon as your business is finished.”
Jack promised to do so, and was hurrying up the lane when the little woman stopped him with these words:--
”I wish you would call at Daniel Chick's and tell him what has happened.
It will be necessary to bury poor old crumple-horn, and he must attend to it.”
”I'll ask him to come over right away”; and Jack resumed his journey, wondering whether he was on the point of doing that for which Aunt Nancy would censure him.
”It doesn't make any difference whether she does or not,” he said to himself. ”If I told her she wouldn't let me go, so this is the only way to fix it.”
CHAPTER XIX.
JACK'S PROPOSITION.
Jack called at Mr. Chick's house, saw that gentleman and got his promise to bury old crumple-horn at once, after which he continued on past Bill Dean's home, fearing no trouble from him since he was yet at the camp grounds.
On arriving at the store he found Mr. Treat alone, and was greeted with the question,--
”h.e.l.lo! Here's Aunt Nancy's young man! How's the old lady after her trip to the grove?”
”She is well, but tired.”