CHAPTER VII
HOW JACK WENT FOR HIS TREASURE.
In the forenoon of the following day Annie Felton dismissed her little school half an hour earlier than she was accustomed to do, and went to her Aunt Chatford’s house, to dine with her relatives and prepare for the long afternoon’s ride. She was greatly surprised when told that Jack was not to accompany her.
“Did Uncle Chatford speak to him about it?” she inquired of her aunt.
“Yes, but for some reason he didn’t seem inclined to go. That just suited Moses; he was glad enough of the chance.”
“Jack has found a half-dollar, and it has just about turned his head,” remarked Mrs. Pipkin.
“A half-dollar?” repeated Annie, wondering if such a trifle could indeed have so affected her young friend. No, she could not believe it. Then why had he willingly let slip an opportunity which she had thought he would be eager to seize?
Soon the men and boys came in to dinner,—Moses in high spirits, and with his Sunday clothes on; Jack jealous and unhappy.
“Why didn’t I leave that till another Sunday? or get it one of these moonlight nights?” he said to smile, and moved her lips with some sweet, inaudible meaning as she passed him; but Moses, good fellow though he was, cast upon him a look of contempt, and flourished his whip, driving proudly away beside his beautiful cousin.