, Berry."

"Mornin', Williams," observed Captain Sol brusquely. "All right, Sim.
I'll wait for you farther on."

He continued his walk. The building mover stood still. Mr. Williams
frowned with lofty indignation.

"Phinney," he said, "I've just looked over those figures of yours, your
bid for moving my new house. The price is ridiculous."

Simeon attempted a pleasantry. "Yes," he answered, "I thought 'twas
ridic'lous myself; but I needed the money, so I thought I could afford
to be funny."

The Williams frown deepened.

"I didn't mean ridiculously low," he snapped; "I meant ridiculously
high. I'd rather help out you town fellows if I can, but you can't work
me for a good thing. I've written to Colt and Adams, of Boston, and
accepted their offer. You had your chance and didn't see fit to take it.
That's all. I'm sorry."

Simeon was angry; also a trifle skeptical.

"Mr. Williams," he demanded, "do you mean to tell me that THEM people
have agreed to move you cheaper'n I can?"

"Their price--their actual price may be no lower; but considering their
up-to-date outfit and--er--progressive methods, they're cheaper. Yes.
Morning, Phinney."

He turned on his heel and walked off. Mr. Phinney, crestfallen and
angrier than ever, moved on to where the depot master stood waiting for
him. Captain Sol smiled grimly.

"You don't look merry as a Christmas tree, Sim," he observed. "What did
his Majesty have to say to you?"

Simeon related the talk with Williams. The depot master's grim smile
grew broader.

"Sim," he asked, with quiet sarcasm, "don't you realize that progressive
methods are necessary in movin' a house?"

Phinney tried to smile in return, but the attempt was a failure.

"Yes," went on the Captain. "Well, if you can't take the Grand
Panjandrum home, you can set on the fence and see him go by. That
ought to be honor enough, hadn't it? However, I may need some of your
ridiculous figgers on a movin' job of my own, pretty soon. Don't be TOO
comical, will you?"

"What do you mean by that, Sol Berry?"

"I mean that I may decide to move my own house."

"Move your OWN house? Where to, for mercy sakes?"

"To that lot on Main Street that belongs to Abner Payne. Abner has
wanted to buy my lot here on the Shore Road for a long time. He knows
it'll make a fine site for some rich bigbug's summer 'cottage.' He would
have bought the house, too, but I think too much of that to sell it.
Now Abner's come back with ano