During the afternoon Jack further endeared himself to the little woman's heart by patching up the door of the shed in such a manner that it could not be opened readily, and fastening it with an old padlock he found in the barn.
"That is just what I have been wanting for a long time," Aunt Nancy exclaimed in surprise when he called her to see the result of his labors. "How strange I can't do that as well as you!"
"That's because you're a woman," Jack replied, not a little delighted with the praise bestowed upon him.
"It may be; but I'm so very much older, it seems as if I should be able to do such things properly, and yet I can't even drive a nail."
"There'll be no need of your doin' it while I'm 'round."
"And I hope you and Louis will stay a long time; but I suppose it isn't right to say so, for although there isn't any chance his mother can be alive after the ship exploded, he has probably relatives who want to see him."
During the remainder of the day, Jack assisted the little woman with the housework, and at sunset the two sat in the favorite place under the old oak, until Louis became unusually fretful.
After trying in vain to soothe him, Aunt Nancy insisted they should retire, saying as she went toward the house,—
"I am afraid he doesn't feel very well. Are you sure he didn't play in the sun while I was away?"
"I kept him in the shade as much as I could. Do you think he can be sick?"