"This view is all right, Mollie," he observed. "Better even than
it is from the street. Come and see."

Mrs. Powless went and saw. Jed stood still and stared miserably.

"Rather attractive, on the whole, don't you think, dear?" inquired
the gentleman. "Must be very decent in the yard there."

The lady did not reply, but she opened the door and went out,
around the corner of the shop and into the back yard. Her husband
trotted after her. The owner of the property, gazing pathetically
through the window, saw them wandering about the premises, looking
off at the view, up into the trees, and finally trying the door of
the old house and peeping in between the slats of the closed
blinds. Then they came strolling back to the shop. Jed, drawing a
long breath, prepared to face the ordeal.

Mrs. Powless entered the shop. Mr. Powless remained by the door.
He spoke first.

"You own all this?" he asked, indicating the surrounding country
with a wave of his cane. Jed nodded.

"That house, too?" waving the point of the cane toward the Winslow
cottage.

"Yes."

"How old is it?"