"Uncle Ranny?" Eleanor's lips formed the words incredulously. Then the mere suggestion of outwitting her grandmother and saving Papa Claude by such a master stroke of diplomacy struck her so humorously that she broke into laughter, in which Quin joined.
"You two are very lively all of a sudden," Mrs. Ranny said over her shoulder. "What is the joke?"
"Miss Eleanor and I have gone into the real estate business. Do you want to buy a farm?"
"We always want to buy a farm. We look at every one we hear is for sale. But they all cost too much."
"This one won't. It's a bargain-counter farm. A house and fifteen acres. You can get it for six thousand dollars if you'll buy it to-day."
"All right; we'll take it," cried Mr. Ranny gaily. "Lead us to it."
The quest for the farm became so absorbing that the wild flowers were forgotten. The oftener they took the wrong road and had to start over, the keener they became to reach their destination.
"I believe it was a pipe-dream," said Mr. Ranny; "you never saw the place at all."
"Yes, I did! I'm not kidding you. It's a regular peach of a place for anybody that's got money to fix it up. Hold on a minute; this looks like the side lane. Do you mind walking the rest of the way?"
"Not if we get anywhere," said Mr. Ranny.