It is probable that no collection of vegetables ever received more care than was bestowed by these enthusiastic gardeners.
The smallest weed was detected and instantly pulled up by Aunt Nancy, while Jack loosened the ground around the roots of each tiny plant until it seemed certain they would be dwarfed.
Much to Jack's discomfort, hardly an hour passed when the little woman did not make some reference to Mr. Pratt, and constantly bewailed the fact that she failed to see him.
"But it wasn't your fault I couldn't find him, Aunt Nancy," Jack finally said.
"I suppose not; but yet it seems as if my cowardice had something to do with it."
"You know that couldn't be so, Aunt Nancy; but if you want me to I'll walk over to his house. It ain't so terribly far."
This proposition had the effect of reducing the little woman to silence, and during three or four hours Louis' guardian heard nothing regarding the man whom he had every reason to consider an enemy.
Late on the afternoon of the third day after he had talked with Mr. Souders, that gentleman's wife drove up, and instead of alighting to call upon Aunt Nancy, said quite sharply,—
"Samuel wanted me to drive over here for Jack."
"Why, what is the matter?" The little woman asked in alarm.