waste another moment on him. We will come back later, when the
real owner is in. Come!"

George came and they both went. Mr. Winslow wiped his perspiring
forehead on a piece of wrapping paper and sat down upon a box to
recover. Recovery, however, was by no means rapid or complete.
They had gone, but they were coming back again; and what should he
say to them then? Very likely Captain Sam, who had sent them in
the first place, would return with them. And Captain Sam knew that
the key was not really lost. Jed's satisfaction in the fact that
he had escaped tenantless so far was nullified by the fear that his
freedom was but temporary.

He cooked his dinner, but ate little. After washing the dishes he
crossed the road to the telephone and telegraph office and called
up the Orham Bank. He meant to get Captain Hunniwell on the wire,
tell him that the house hunters had paid him a visit, that he did
not like them, and beg the captain to call them off the scent. But
Captain Sam had motored to Ostable to attend a preliminary session
of the Exemption Board. Jed sauntered gloomily back to the shop.
When he opened the door and entered he was greeted by a familiar
voice, which said:

"Here he is, Mamma. Good afternoon, Mr. Winslow."

Jed started, turned, and found Miss Barbara Armstrong beaming up at
him. The young lady's attire and general appearance were in marked
contrast to those of the previous evening. Petunia also was in
calling costume; save for the trifling lack of one eye and a chip
from the end of her nose, she would have been an ornament to doll