"But he wouldn't name any price."
"Did he refuse to sell?"
"Not exactly; but he wouldn't bargain except on a condition that we were unable to meet."
"What condition? Who is the man? Where does he live?"
Colonel Butler was growing plainly impatient over the obstructive tactics in which the owner of the tree had indulged.
"He lives," replied Mr. Morrissey, "at Cobb's Corners. His name is Enos Walker. His condition is that you go to him in person to bargain for the tree. There's the situation, colonel. Now you have it all."
The veteran of the Civil War straightened up in his chair, threw back his shoulders, and gazed at his visitors in silence. Surprise, anger, contempt; these were the emotions the shadows of which successively overspread his face.
"Gentlemen," he said, at last, "are you aware what a preposterous proposition you have brought to me?"
"It is not our proposition, colonel."
"I know it is not, sir. You are simply the bearers of it. Permit me to ask you, however, if it is your recommendation that I yield to the demand of this crude highwayman of Cobb's Corners?"