"Are you goin' to make her do all the work?" Jack asked as he started to his feet.
"Don't be impudent!" the deacon said sternly, raising his cane threateningly. "Learn to do as you are bidden, and in silence."
Jack made no reply, but felt that the little woman whom he loved so dearly was being imposed upon.
As for Aunt Nancy, she appeared to have no such idea.
Jack awakened her as he had been told, and she arose from the bed of straw on which she had lain without undressing, uttering no word of protest.
"I would have let you sleep till noon, but the deacon told me to, an' was kinder mad when I asked if you'd got to do all the work," Jack said, his tones proving there was yet anger in his heart.
"You shouldn't have said anything about it, my dear, for it is a pleasure to me."
"You try to think it is, but I know it's nothin' more than hard work, while the others are enjoying a long nap."
"We won't say any more about it, Jack dear. Don't you think you could get me some water?"
"Of course I can"; and Jack labored with a will, relieving the tired-looking little woman whenever it was possible.