anything about it."

"There, you see!" exclaimed Russ in a whisper. "It's only a riddle he is
going to tell. We can listen to it, and have some fun. We won't tell
what the answer is when he asks us. We'll make believe we don't know."

"Well, if it's only a riddle, I guess it's all right to listen to it,"
agreed Rose.

So the two eldest Bunker children crouched down on the side porch, under
the dining-room windows, and listened to the talk that was going on
inside. Of course this was not right, but they did not know any better,
especially after Grandpa Ford spoke about a "riddle."

And so it came about that Rose and Russ heard what it was not intended
they should hear.

"You know," went on Grandpa Ford, as Russ and Rose listened outside,
"that I bought Great Hedge Estate from a Mr. James Ripley, who lives
near here."

"Yes, I know that," said Daddy Bunker. "Well, you like it, don't you,
Father?"

"Quite well. Your mother likes it, too. It is a large farm, as you know,
and there is a big stretch of woods, as well as land where I can raise
fruits and vegetables. There are meadows for grazing, and fields for
corn, hay and oats. Great Hedge is a fine place, and your mother and I
like it there very much.