CHAPTER XVI.
A HURRIED DEPARTURE.
It was not until the following morning that Aunt Nancy paid anyparticular attention to the circular regarding camp meeting which BillDean had brought.
Then, as Jack came in from milking, she said with a suddenness whichcaused the boy to start in surprise,--
"I have been thinking about the camp meeting. What is your opinion?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"You remember the paper which William Dean brought last night?"
"Yes."
"Well, it was the time-table of the trains which run to the grounds.Somehow your coming upset me so I had forgotten all about the meeting,and if I should miss it, it would be the first time since I was quite ayoung girl."
"When does it begin?"
"Day after to-morrow."
"Why don't you go? I can stay here an' take care of crumple-horn andLouis well enough."
"Bless you, child, I wouldn't think of leaving you alone three or fourdays."
"Would you be gone as long as that?"
"A great many stay the whole week, and I did one year; but it was almosttoo tedious."
"Well, both of us couldn't be away at the same time, an'--"
"Why not?"
"Because the cow must be milked an' put in the barn."
"Daniel Chick's daughters have always done that for me, and wouldagain."
"But what about Louis?"
"I have been wondering whether I couldn't take him with me."
"It would be terrible hard work to lug a baby 'round all the time."
"If you went I should be relieved of the greater portion of that care."
"It seems as if you had pretty nigh made up your mind already."
"There is only one thing which prevents me, and I can't figure it out,"the little woman said with an air of anxiety.
"What is it?" Jack asked in surprise.
"I don't know that it is prudent to spare the money. You see it won't belong now before the summer boarders come, and it costs a great deal toget ready for them."
Jack could make no reply. This was a question about which he wasignorant, and there was a certain hesitation on his part regarding thediscussion of such a subject when he could do nothing to forward thematter by pecuniary aid.
No more was said until after breakfast, when Mrs. Hayes came in, lookingexcited and breathless.
"Haven't you done anything about going to camp meeting, Nancy Curtis?"she cried, as she swung the big rocking-chair around and would have saton Louis had not Jack called her attention to the fact by pulling thebaby from his dangerous position.
"I was just speaking about it, but don't know as I shall go."
"But you must, Nancy. The children can stay at my house."
"If I went they would go with me," the little woman replied, in a tonewhich told she was not willing to discuss that question.
"Very well, there is nothing to prevent. Daniel Chick will take his bigtent, and he says you're welcome to use as much of it as you want."
"He is very good, I'm sure."
"And you'll go, of course? It wouldn't seem like a camp meeting if youwasn't there; and, besides, we always look to you for the coffee. DeaconDowns says it's one of the pleasures of the week to drink Aunt Nancy'sMocha."
"I do try to get the best, and when that has been done any one can makeit good," the little woman said as her withered cheeks flushed withpleasure at the compliment, while never for a moment did she fancy thispraise might have been given only that she should supply the occupantsof the tent with their morning beverage.
"Then it is settled, you will go?" and Mrs. Hayes arose to her feet. "Ican't stop a minute, but felt I must run over to find out if you'd begunpreparations."
"I haven't, and whether you see me there or not depends. I will let youknow to-morrow."
"But you must go, because we won't take no for an answer."
Aunt Nancy shook her head as if to say the matter was very uncertain,and the visitor took her departure, insisting that the townspeople"couldn't get along without their coffee maker."
"I'm sure I don't know what to do," the little woman said with along-drawn sigh when she and Jack were alone.
"If you haven't money enough, why not leave me an' Louis here alone?I'll be awful careful with the house, an' there can't any accidenthappen."
"I'm not afraid to trust you, Jack dear; but as I told Mrs. Hayes, itisn't to be thought of for a minute."
"Ain't there some way I might earn the money?"
"Bless you, no, child. Even if I was willing you should do such a thing,there isn't any time. The most expensive part of it is that I havealways furnished the coffee for all in the tent, and it does take apowerful lot to go around. Why, Deacon Downs himself can drink threecups of a morning, an' then look around sort of wishfully for another. Ialways give it to him, too, if there's enough left in the pot."
Jack felt very badly because he could do nothing toward helping thelittle woman out of her difficulty, while Louis laughed and crowed as ifhe thought the whole affair decidedly comical.
Aunt Nancy bustled around the house performing a great deal ofunnecessary work, her forehead knitted into a frown which showed shewas thinking the matter over in the most serious fashion, and Jackwatched her every movement.
Finally the problem was solved, for her face lighted up as, taking Louisin her arms and seating herself in the rocking-chair, she saidcheerily,--
"I don't think William Dean would attempt to make trouble for you now,Jack dear."
"Neither do I. Mr. Souders probably scolded him for mixin' up theharness, and he won't bother me."
"Do you feel quite certain of that?"
"Indeed I do."
"Then would it be too much of a walk for you to go to Treat's store?"
"Of course it wouldn't, Aunt Nancy. You've only to say the word, an'I'll be off like a shot."
Jack had seized his hat as he spoke, and appeared to be on the point ofrushing away without waiting for the message, when she stopped him bysaying,--
"There's no need of such haste. It will take me some time to fix theerrand so you can do it. Last season Daniel Chick farmed the back fieldfor me on shares, and I have quite a lot of wheat on hand. Mr. Treatwanted to buy it, and now I'm going to accept his offer. In case hestill wants it, you must bring back some things from the store."
"Am I to get the coffee?"
"No, that would be too large a bundle. I'll write Mr. Treat a letter,and the remainder of the business you can arrange."
Jack was delighted at being able to do something toward settling thevexed question, and waited very impatiently for the little woman to makeher preparations.
This was quite a long task because a letter was to be written, and afterthat a list of articles prepared; but finally Aunt Nancy completed thework, and Jack set off at full speed with a generous supply of bread andbutter in a neatly tied parcel.
He returned before she fancied he could have more than gotten there, andbrought with him the goods required.
"Mr. Treat says he'll tell Daniel Chick to haul the wheat, and you shallknow how much there is as soon as it can be weighed. If you wantanything more you shall send for it."
"Did he say I could have some money?" Aunt Nancy asked anxiously.
"He told me to tell you to call on for cash or goods up to thirtydollars, for he was certain it would amount to as much as that."
"Then everything will be fixed without any trouble, and I will tell Mrs.Hayes we shall go to the camp meeting. Now, Jack dear, lie down a littlewhile and get rested so you can help me. We must do a great deal ofcooking before to-morrow night."
During the remainder of the afternoon and the day following, thehousehold was in as great a state of confusion and excitement as whenarrangements were being made for the sewing circle.
Aunt Nancy, assisted by Jack, cooked provisions sufficient to have kepta much larger family in food fully two weeks; but the little womanexplained she "never
liked to go to camp meeting without havingsomething to give those who might come hungry."
The neighbors, and, more particularly, Deacon Downs, had called toascertain if "the coffee maker" was really going, and Daniel Chickpromised to come for her with his wagon at an early hour the followingmorning.
The deacon agreed to attend to the transportation of the Mocha, and onthe evening before the journey was to be made everything appeared to bein "apple-pie order," although to Aunt Nancy's eyes the house was farfrom being in a proper condition.
Jack was both tired and excited.
The prospect of going to a camp meeting pleased him wonderfully, for hehad never attended one, and fancied it was something intended for sportrather than anything serious.
The baskets were packed; Louis's suit of white clothes stiff with starchand without a blemish; Jack's boots were polished until they shone likea mirror; and Aunt Nancy spent considerable time bewailing the fact thatshe could not afford to buy him a new coat and pair of trousers.
Not until late was the little woman ready to retire, and it appeared toJack as if he had just fallen asleep when she awakened him to milk thecow.
After feeding the animal it seemed as if a very long time would elapsebefore it would be possible for him to do the same again, and he pattedher sleek sides affectionately as he explained that one of Mr. Chick'sdaughters would take his place during the next three or four days.
It isn't very likely the animal understood what he said, but she wasperfectly willing to part with him, since it was to exchange the stuffybarnyard for the cool, inviting pasture.
The milk was strained and put out on the doorsteps for Miss Chick, sinceAunt Nancy could not take it with her, and then a hurried breakfast waseaten. None too soon, either, for the meal had just been finished whenMr. Chick drove up, fretting considerably because the party were notready to get into the vehicle instantly he arrived.
Half a dozen times was Jack sent to make certain this door or that wasfastened securely, and the owner of the wagon worked himself into astate of profuse perspiration before Aunt Nancy finally announced shewas ready.
Jack thoroughly enjoyed the ride to the depot, four miles away.
The odor of the flowers and grasses was heavy on the cool air; the birdssang their hymns of thanksgiving that the new day had come; and thetrees whispered together of the goodness of the Creator in making forhis creatures such a beautiful place in which to live.
"It seems almost wicked to enjoy a scene like this when there are somany poor people who never see the country from one year's end toanother," Aunt Nancy said, as she looked around in delight; and Mr.Chick replied, speaking much as if he had a cold in his head,--
"It's for us to take all the enjiment that comes in this world, an'leave others to bear the burdens which are put upon them."
"If that is good doctrine, Daniel Chick, I'd like to know how you'dfancied a dose of it when you was down with the rheumatiz an' dependedupon the neighbors to gather the crops?"
"That was a different matter, Nancy Curtis."
"In what way?"
"Well, you see--I--I--p'rhaps I can't explain it so's you an' thechildren can understand; but there was a difference."
"Only because you can't put yourself in the situation of others. TheGolden Rule is good enough for me yet, and I don't think I'll change itfor yours."
This brief conversation had no effect on Jack, nor would he have thoughtit an important matter if Mr. Chick had attempted to prove the littlewoman was wrong. His faith in Aunt Nancy was so great that whatever shesaid was to him a truth not to be disputed.
On arriving at the depot it was learned they were fully an hour tooearly for the train, and Jack mourned the fact that he might haveremained at home long enough to put the barn in better order.
It was a large party who intended to make the journey on this morning,and to Jack's dismay he saw Bill Dean and his particular friends arriveabout half an hour before the time for leaving.
If it had been possible he would have remained out of sight; but thestation was small, and Aunt Nancy insisted he should stand where shecould keep her eyes on him, consequently it was not many moments beforeMaster Dean recognized him.
"Oh, dear! _is_ he going? and _must_ we be in fear and trembling of himall the time we stay?" Aunt Nancy said pathetically as she saw the threeboys approaching. "Keep close to me, Jack dear, and if he attempts anymischief I'll appeal for help to Deacon Downs."
Bill, however, did not intend to commit any overt act while there wereso many around who would not hesitate about dealing out justice to himwithout delay.
He contented himself by walking slowly around Aunt Nancy and Jack, as hesaid to Jip Lewis,--
"I didn't think we stood so much of a chance to have a good time at campmeetin' this year. Here's Hunchie with the old maid, and we'll see thatthey don't get lonesome."
Fortunately Aunt Nancy did not hear him, otherwise she might have saidsomething which would have provoked further and louder threats.
Jack, however, could distinguish every word, and before the threetormentors finished their promenade he regretted having accompanied thelittle woman.
"I ain't afraid they'll get very much the best of me," he said tohimself; "but there isn't goin' to be a great deal of fun if I've got tokeep my eyes open for them all the time."