Chapter XX.
BILL DEAN.
Jack was a very proud boy when he came down the lane to the farmhouse leading the docile animal by the halter.
He hoped to reach the door before Aunt Nancy should see him; but the little woman was sitting under the old oak wondering what business Mr. Souders had on hand which required the cripple's presence.
He was half way from the main road to the house when she saw him, and cried in astonishment,—
"Bless my soul, Jack, have you been and made a trade with Mr. Treat after what I said?"
"Indeed I haven't! Jest wait till you see what's on this beauty's horn, an' then you'll know all about it."
Aunt Nancy could not curb her curiosity until the animal was led in, but ran forward with Louis in her arms, Jack stopping the cow that she might read that which was written on the card.
The little woman was bewildered.
She could hardly realize the animal was a present until Jack repeated again and again what Mr. Souders had said, and then it was the hunchback's turn to be bewildered, for instead of expressing her gratitude, she sat down on the grass, regardless of possible stains to her dress, and began to cry heartily.
"Why, I thought you'd be glad," Jack said in a tone of disappointment, while Louis pulled at the little woman's ringlets to show his sympathy for what seemed to be grief.