Uncle John and his nieces were just ？nishing their eggs，which were fresh and delicious.The milk was also a revelation.Through the windows of the hotel several frowsyd lookingwomen and an open mouthed boy were staring hard at the unconscious city folk.
Even Louise was in a mood for laughter as they mounted to the high seats of the democrat.The glorious air，the clear sunshine and a satisfactory if simple breakfast had put them all in a good humor with the world.
They stopped at the station for their hand baggage，andsaw that the trunks were properly loaded on the lumber wagon.Then，slowly，they started to mount the long hill that began its incline just across the tracks.
"Sure this is the way？"inquired Uncle John，perchedbeside the driver.
"I were horned here，"answered the man，conclusively."That seems to settle it.Pretty big hill，that one ahead of us.""It's the Little Bill.When we cross it，we're at Millville."Seven miles of desolate country could not dampen the spirits of the girls.Secretly each one was con？dent that Uncle John's unknown farm would prove to be impossible，and that in a day or so at the latest they would retrace their steps.But in the meantime the adventure was novel and interesting，and they were prepared to accept the inevitable with all graciousness.
When，after the long climb up the hill，they saw thequaint mill and the town lying just across rushing Little Bill Creek；when from their elevation they beheld the placid lake half hidden by its stately pines and gazed up the ruggedand picturesque foot—hills to the great mountains beyond，then indeed they drew in deep breaths and began，as Patsy exclaimed，to be "glad they came.""That Millville？"asked Uncle John，eagerly."Yes，sir.""And which of those houses belongs to the Wegg farm？""Ye can't see the Wegg house from here；the pineshide it，"said the man，urging his horses into a trot as they approached the bridge.
"Pretty good farm？"inquired Uncle John，hopefully.
"Worst in the county，"was the disconcerting reply."Half rocks an'half trees.Ol'Cap'n Wegg wasn't no farmer.He were a sea—cap'n；so it's no wonder he got took in when he bought the place."Uncle John sighed.
"I've just bought it myself，"he observed.
"There's an ol'addige，"said the man，grinning，"'bout a fool an'his money.The house is a hunker；but w'at's the use of a house without a farm？""What is a 'hunker'，please？"inquired Louise，curiously.
The liveryman ventured no reply，perhaps because he was guiding his horses over the rickety bridge.
"Want to stop at the village？"he asked.
"No；drive on to the farm."
The scene was so rude and at the same time so picturesque that it impressed them all very agreeably.Perhaps they were themore delighted because they had expected nothing admirable in this all but forsakena spot.They did not notice the people who stared after them as they rattled through the village，or they would have seen Uncle John's "agent"in front of his of？ce，his round eyes fairly bulging from his head.
It had never occurred to McNutt to be at the Junction to welcome his patron.He had followed his instructions and set Mr.Merrick's house in order，and there he considered thathis duty ended.He would，of course，call on the nabob，presently，and render an account of the money he had received.
Sam Cotting，the store—keeper，gazed after the liveryteam with a sour countenance，he resented the fact that five big—boxes of groceries had been forwarded from the city to the Wegg farm."What'n thunder's the use havin'city folks here，ef they don't buy nothin'？"he asked the boys；and they agreed it was no use at all.
Proceeding at a smart trot the horses came to the Pearson farm，where they turned into the Jane at the left and straightway subsided to a slow walk，the wheels bumping and joltingb over the stony way.
"What's this？"exclaimed Uncle John，who had narrowlyescaped biting his tongue through and throughc."Why did you turn down here？""It's the road，"returned the driver，with a chuckle；"it's the cobble—stone lane to yer farm，an'the farm's 'bout the same sort o'land as the lane."For a few moments the passengers maintained a dismal silence.
"The country's lovely，"said Patsy，glancing at thepanorama as they mounted a slight elevation.
"Are you sure，Uncle，that there is a house，or any place of refuge，on your farm？"asked Louise，in a mischievous tone.
"Why，there's a rumor of a house，and the rumor saysit's a hunker，"replied Mr.Merrick，in a voice that betrayed a slight uneasiness.
