Two days later Bunch had a certified check for $14,000 and UnclePeter was the happy owner of the country estate.

"We will live with you and Aunt Martha a little while," I said tohim; "but if you have no objection I'd like to buy a teeny lot downnear the brook from you and build a bit of a cage there forourselves."

Uncle Peter chuckled affirmatively, but seemed unwilling tocontinue the subject further. "Isn't it glorious out here," hechuckled. "Pure air, fresh from the bakery of Heaven! I haveyounged myself twelve decades since we came out here. Yesterday I fellin a bear trap which Tacks had dug and carefully concealed withbrush and leaves. It took me four hours to get out because I'mrather stout, but the exercise surely did me good."