"Who else do you suppose it is?" cried Samuel.
"Well, but I did not expect you so early."
"Well," said Samuel, drily, "I was afraid you might give me the slip, so I came early."
"An excellent idea, brother," said Mrs. Dickson, who now entered.
"And knowing how anxious my brother is to reach the promised land, I would not keep him waiting."
"Quite right," coolly replied Joshua; "and now about this important business?"
"Look out of window," drily answered Samuel.
Joshua obeyed, and saw five heavily-laden waggons, drawn each by horses, with about twelve hired men.
"Well," coolly observed Joshua, "what may be the meaning of all this?"
"It means," answered the farmer, "that as you have found yourself such a fool, it becomes my duty, as your elder brother, to come and look after you. I have sold up everything, and invested part, as you see."