I had an idea
maybe it took all your ready money to buy the place, and possibly
you regret spending so much--but don't you do it! The best day's
work you ever did was when you bought this place!"
"Yes, I believe you!" I sighed, wearily, as I turned to look down
the road.
I stiffened in the chair for I saw my finish in the outward form of
two women rapidly approaching the house,
"It's Bunch's sister and her daughter," I moaned to myself. "Well,
I'll be generous and let the blow fall first on Uncle Peter!"
Accordingly, I made a quick exit,
In the kitchen I found Clara J., her headache forgotten, busily
preparing to cook the dinner.
She's a foxy little bundle of peaches, that girl is; and I was wise
to the fact that her suspicion factory was still working over-time,
turning out material for the undersigned.
I felt it in my bones that the steer I gave her about Aunt Eliza
had been placed in cold storage for safe keeping.
Her brain was busy running to the depot to meet the scandal Bunch's
telegram hinted at, but she pretended to catch step and walk along
with me.
"John," she said, "I certainly do hope your relatives won't come
out for some little time, because we really aren't ready for
visitors, now are we, dear?"
"Indeed we are not," I groaned.
"I can't help thinking it awfully strange that you should be
notified of their coming by Mr. Jefferson, and in such peculiar
language," she said, after a pause.
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