off the dead leaves
from his geraniums, drawing the red curtains back; opening and shutting
the books, only to throw himself into his chair at last. Should he smoke
until four?--should he read? What a fool he was making of himself! It
was astonishing that one of his age should be so excited over a mere
business proposition--really not a proposition at all, when he came to
think of it--just an ordinary question asked. He must compose himself.
It was quite absurd for him to go on this way. But would the boy NEVER
come? It was four o'clock now--or would be in ten minutes, and--and--

Yes!

He sprang toward the door and caught the young fellow in his arms.

"Oh! such good news! Mr. Guthrie's bought the property!" roared Jack.

He had made one long spring from the sidewalk up three flights of steps
to the old-fashioned door, but he still had breath to gasp the glad
tidings.

"Bought!--Who?--Not Guthrie!"

"Yes--I am to sign the papers to-morrow. Oh!--Uncle Peter, I am half
crazy with delight!"

"Hurrah," shouted Peter. "HURRAH, I say! This IS good news!
Well!--Well!" He was still bending over him, his eyes blinking in his
joy, scurries of irradiating smiles chasing each other over his face.
Never had the old gentleman been in such a state.

"And how much, Jack?"

"Guess."

"Will there be enough to pay Isaac's ten thousand?"

"More!" Jack was nearly bursting, but he still held in.

"Twenty thousand?" This came timidly, fearing that it was too much, and
yet hoping that it might be true.

"More!" The strain on Jack was getting dangerous.

"Twenty-five thousand?" Peter's voice now showed that he was convinced
that this sum was too small.

"More! Go on, Uncle Peter! Go on!"

"Thirty-five thousand, Jack?" It was getting hot; certainly this was the
limit. Was there ever such luck?

"Yes!--and five thousand more! Forty thousand dollars and one-fifth
interest in the output! Just think what Ruth will say. I've just sent
her a telegram. Oh!--what a home-coming!"

And then, with Peter drawn up beside him, his face radiant and his eyes
sparkling with joy, he poured out the story of the morning. How he had
begun by telling Mr. Guthrie of his own and Mr. MacFarlane's opinion of
the property, as he did not want to sell anything he himself considered
worthless. How he had told him frankly what Peter had said of his--Mr.
Guthrie's--fairness and honesty; how he was at work for his prospective
father-in-law, the disting