"I sent you that wire before I took sister's temperature," Bunchexplained, "and I very forgot to send another which would put acopper on the queens."

0nce more he laughed uproariously and chortled between theoutbursts, "Now--ha, ha, ha!--I'm even for--ha, ha, ha!--for thatshoot the chute I did in your--ha, ha, ha--in your cellar--oh! ha,ha, ha, ha!"

"0h, quit your kidding!" I begged, and then, suddenly, "Say, Bunch,will you sell the very aged homestead?"