"Don't neglect anything that is pretty or useful." "I won't, sir," replied the man, who knew his customer was "the great John Merrick," who could furnish a city "complete," if he wished to, and not count the cost.
Everything was to be shipped in haste to the Junction, and Uncle John wrote McNutt to have it delivered promptly to the farm and put in order.
"As soon as things are in shape," he wrote, "wire me to that effect and I'll come down.

But don't let any grass grow under your feet.

I'm a man who requires prompt service." The days were already getting uncomfortably warm, and the little man was nervously anxious to see his farm.

So were the nieces, for that matter, who were always interested in the things that interested their eccentric uncle.

Besides Patricia Doyle, whom we have already introduced, these nieces were Miss Louise Merrick, who had just celebrated her eighteenth birthday, and Miss Elizabeth--or "Beth"-- De Graf, now well past fifteen.
Beth lived in a small town in Ohio, but was then visiting her city cousin Louise, so that both girls were not only available but eager to accompany Uncle John to his new domain and assist him to enjoy his summer outing..