“Don’t talk that way, Mr. Nickerson,” said Nat; and some way or other he could not get it out of his head that the old man was in earnest. “If you are going to stay here I will go up and get a couple of blankets and a pillow for you. I will see you all right in the morning.”
He laid the book beside the old man, folded up the two leaves and put them into his pocket and hurried toward the house. Somehow he did not feel exactly right about Mr. Nickerson.
CHAPTER V.
Jonas Tries to Make Amends.
It is hard to tell what Jonas Keeler’s feelings were as he paced back and forth in his narrow cabin, his eyes flashing, his hands clenched and his lips framing to himself words that he dared not utter aloud. He was disappointed—sorely disappointed because Mr. Nickerson, who knew that he wanted money, that he thought of nothing else, had presumed to present him a book for a keepsake. Sometimes he felt so angry at him that he had half a mind to go out, find the old man and throw him over the bars. His wife said nothing for some minutes, but seeing that Jonas was getting madder instead of better natured, she ventured to put in a word or two.
“Father, you didn’t do right in talking to the old man the way you did,” said she, hardly knowing how her words would be received.
“The old fool!” hissed Jonas, throwing his hat into one corner and burying both of his hands in his hair. “What did he want to give me a book for when he knows how badly I need money? I am sorry that I was so good natured with him afterward.”
“But father, there was something in the book,” continued Mrs. Keeler, a sudden idea occurring to her.
Jonas stopped quickly and faced her, a queer expression on his face.
“There may have been something in the book that told you where his money was. That is if he has got any money; which I don’t believe.”
Jonas began to see the matter in a different light now. He pulled a chair close to his wife’s side and sat down in it.