he said, as though confused. 

 “I presume,” I explained, “that this is practically an abandoned farm.”  

 “Not exactly,” he said. “I'm here.”  

 “Yes, yes; quite so,” I said, speaking perhaps a trifle impatiently. “But you are thinking of going away from it, aren't you?”  

 “Yes,” he admitted; “I am.”  

 “Now,” I said, “we are getting round to the real situation. What are you asking for this place?”  

 “Eighteen hundred,” he stated. “There are ninety acres of land that go with the house and the house itself is in very good order.”  

 I considered for a moment. None of the abandoned farms I had ever read about sold for so much as eighteen hundred dollars. Still, I reflected, there might have been a recent bull movement; there had certainly been much publicity upon the subject. Before committing myself, I glanced at my wife. Her expression betokened acquiescence. 

 “That figure,” I said diplomatically, “was somewhat in excess of what I was originally prepared to pay; still, the house seems roomy and, as you were saying, there are ninety acres. The furniture and equipment go with the place, I presume?”  

 “Naturally,” he answered. “That is the customary arrangement.”  

 “And would you be prepared to give possession immediately?”  

 “Immediately,” he responded. 

 I began to feel enthusiasm. By the look on my wife's face I could tell that she was enthused, too. 

 “If we come to terms,” I said, “and everything proves satisfactory, I suppose you could arrange to have the deed made out at once?”  

 “The deed?” he said blankly. “You mean the lease?”  

 “The lease?” I said blankly. “You mean the deed?”  

 “The deed?” he said blankly. “You mean the lease?”  

 “The lease, indeed,” said my wife. “You mean——”  

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