had a queer bee in his bonnet this morning. He seems to be thinking of
buying some of our property."

I told her of Jedediah's interest in the Shore Lane and his hint
concerning its possible purchase. She listened and then said
thoughtfully:

"What have you decided to do about it, Roscoe?"

"I haven't decided at all. What do you think, Mother?"

"It seems to me that I shouldn't sell, at least until I knew his reason
for wanting to buy. It would be different if we needed the money, but,
of course, we don't."

"Of course," I said, hastily. "But why not sell? We don't use the land."

"No. But the Denboro people need that Lane. They use it a great deal.
If it were closed it would put many of them to a great inconvenience,
particularly those who get their living alongshore. Every one in Denboro
has been so kind to us. I feel that we owe them a debt we never can
repay."

"No one could help being kind to you, Mother. Oh! I have another
piece of news. Did you know that our new neighbors, the Coltons, have
arrived?"

"Yes. Dorinda told me. Have you met any of them?"

"No."