“You’ve got it,” said Jack, more deeply glad and agitated than any one suspected.
“So I have. Well, I’ll tell ye when I get home from the Basin to-night whether it’s good or not. Walk in, gentlemen.”
And the deacon entered the house with his guests.
CHAPTER IV
IN WHICH JACK COUNTS HIS CHICKENS.
Peternot and his nephew took their departure, after making a short call. Then the family sat down to the supper-table, and the merits and prospects of the candidate for the winter’s school were discussed in a manner that ought to have made his ears tingle. Then, while the boys harnessed the mare and brought her to the door, the deacon changed his clothes, and at last started for the Basin.
“Don’t forget to ask about that half-dollar!” said Jack, as he held the gate open for the buggy to pass through.
“Glad you reminded me of it,—I should have forgotten it,” replied the notoriously absent-minded deacon.
Jack wished he could have found some excuse for going with him, but he could not think of any.