CHAPTER XXXIV
HOW JACK WON A BET, AND RETURNED A FAVOR.
The next morning Sellick sat milking a cow in the yard, when a clear, pleasant voice close beside him said, “Good morning, Mr. Constable!”
He had heard footsteps and the rattling of a milk-pail behind him, but had not looked around, thinking it was Billy the farm-boy coming to help him. Now he looked, however, and there stood his escaped prisoner of yesterday, smiling, with a milk-pail in one hand and a stool in the other.
“Ha! good morning, sonny!” cried Sellick, excitedly. His first impulse was to spring and seize the fugitive; his next, to sit still.
“You helped me milk yesterday morning, now I’ve come to help you,” said Jack. “I like to pay my debts.”
“That’s right! that’s fair!” said the astonished constable.
“Which is the kicking cow? I don’t want to tackle her!” quietly remarked Jack, surveying the little herd.
“Try that heifer with the white forefeet,” replied Sellick. “You’re an honest boy, as I said yesterday! I’ve changed works many a time with a neighbor, but I never had one return my little favors quite so prompt! You kind o’ took my breath away! Where have you been since we parted in that rather abrupt fashion yisterday?”