"Ah, my boy, isn't this delightful!" he cried, drinking in the air.
"There's nothing like the country, I tell you! Look at that view!
Isn't it grand? John, to be frank with you, up until I saw this
place I didn't have much faith in your ability as a business man,
but now I certainly admire your wisdom in selecting a spot like
this--what did it cost you?"

Cost me! so far it had cost me an attack of nervous prostration,
but I couldn't tell him that. I hesitated for the simple reason
that I hadn't the faintest idea what the place had cost Bunch. I
had been too busy to ask him.

"It's all right, John," the old fellow went on; "don't think me
inquisitive. A rubberneck is the root of all evil. It's only
because I've been watching you rather closely since we came out
here and you seem to be nervous about something. 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,