“Now for the other parcel,” said Crane, and getting the information as to ownership, he and his companions took buggy to the spot.  It was a comfortable farmhouse, white painted and agreeable to look upon, but the pleasure of the view was ruined for Crane and Keith by reason of a bulky figure standing on the porch in conversation with a woman.

“Baines!” ejaculated Crane.  It sounded like a swear word as he said it.

The three rushed the piazza.

“Madam,” said Crane, not deigning to recognize Scattergood’s presence, “you own a tract of timber—­fifteen thousand acres.  We hear it is for sale.  We want to buy it.”

“This gentleman was just making me an offer for it,” she said, pointing to Scattergood.

“We raise his offer twenty-five cents an acre,” said Crane, and drew from his-pocket a huge roll of bills—­it being his idea of the psychology of women that the sight of actual money would have a favorable effect.

“That makes two dollars an acre,” said she, and looked at Scattergood.

“Two and a quarter,” said he.

“Two and a half,” roared Crane.

“Two seventy-five,” said Scattergood.  “Three dollars.”

“Three ten,” said Scattergood.

“Three and a quarter” said Crane.  He glared at Scattergood.  “If you want it worse than that,” he shouted, “why, confound you, you can have it!”

“I don’t,” said Scattergood, placidly.

The woman figured a moment.  “That makes forty-eight thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars,” she said.  “I kind of like even money.  You can have it for an even fifty thousand.”

Scattergood looked at her and grinned.  One might have detected admiration in his eyes.

“Done,” said Crane.  “We’ll get into town and close the deal, ma’am, if you don’t mind.”

“Your buggy seems to be crowded,” said Scattergood.  “I’ll drive the lady in, if you want I should.”

“We want nothing from you at all, Baines.”

“All right,” said Scattergood, placidly, and, getting into his buggy, he drove away.  He drove rapidly, and alighted at Johnnie Bones’s office.  Presently he emerged, carrying a legal-appearing document in his hand, and went across to the bank, where he handed the document to the cashier.

Presently the parties appeared, entered the bank, and the cashier, upon being directed, executed a certified check to the lady for fifty thousand dollars.  Then he handed it to her, and the deed to Mr. Crane.  “You see,” said he, “we have the deed all ready for you.”

“Yes,” said Scattergood, stepping through the door.  “I had it fixed up for you.  I aim to be prompt when I’m tendin’ to my wife’s business matters.  Gentlemen, I guess you hain’t met Mrs. Baines real proper yet....”

It was not a happy moment for Messrs. Crane and Keith, but they weathered it, not suavely, not with complete dignity, but after a fashion....  Their departure might, perhaps, have been termed brusque.