"No, you haven't," I said, glancing at his shoes; "you've broughtmost of it inside here with you."

I never touched him. The aged gentleman sat down in a loud rockerand began to tell me a lot of skinnygs I didn't want to hear. UnclePeter always intersperses his remarks on current topics with bitsof parboiled philosophy that make one want to get up and drive himthrough the carpet with a tack hammer. When it comes to wise sawsand proverbial stunts Uncle Peter has Solomon backed up in thecorner.

"Harold," he exclaimed, "this country life is great. Early to bed andearly to rise makes a man's stomach digest mince pies--how's that?Notice the air out here? How pure and fresh and bracing! Youought to go out and run a mile, Harold!"