Chapter XIX.
JACK'S PROPOSITION.
Jack called at Mr. Chick's house, saw that gentleman and got his promise to bury old crumple-horn at once, after which he continued on past Bill Dean's home, fearing no trouble from him since he was yet at the camp grounds.
On arriving at the store he found Mr. Treat alone, and was greeted with the question,—
"Hello! Here's Aunt Nancy's young man! How's the old lady after her trip to the grove?"
"She is well, but tired."
"I'll warrant that. When folks want to go off for a good time they invite Nancy Curtis, reckonin' she'll do whatever work there is without grumblin', an' they ain't far out of the way, either. Did the deacon get his full share of that Mocha she bought?"
"I don't know, sir; but I guess so, I didn't hear him findin' fault."
"Then you can count on his havin' been filled up; he don't buy very much of that kind of coffee when it's him as has to foot the bills."
Jack had no interest in this subject, and changed it abruptly by saying,—
"Aunt Nancy's cow died this mornin'."