Thanks to Jack's labors, the morning meal was unusually early, and when it had been eaten and the dishes washed, the hunchback said as he took up his hat,—
"I'll go now an' finish mendin' the fence."
"Wait until I have seen Mr. Dean. I'm afraid those dreadful boys will do you some mischief."
"I don't reckon they'll be stirring so early, an' it won't take me more'n an hour longer. While I'm gone, think of somethin' else that needs to be done, for I'd rather be workin' than layin' still."
"You're a good boy, Jack dear, and I should be very sorry to have you go away from me now."
"There's no danger of that yet awhile, unless Mr. Pratt takes it into his head to come this way again," Jack replied with a laugh as he left the house.
It required some search to find the hammer and nails he had thrown down when he was so frightened, and then the task of fence mending progressed famously until a rustling among the bushes caused him to raise his eyes suddenly.
Bill Dean stood before him, looking particularly savage and threatening.
Jack took a yet firmer grasp of the hammer, resolved to defend himself vigorously providing there should be no other enemies in the vicinity.
"So you're still here, eh?" Bill asked sternly.