As soon as they departed I had my mare saddled and rode into
town to see my agent. I went into his office exultant.
"I've let my house," I said, "and I want you to make out the
lease and have everything fixed and settled as soon as possible.
This is the address of my tenants."
The agent asked me a good many questions, being particularly
anxious to know what rent had been agreed upon.
"Heavens!" he exclaimed, when I mentioned the sum, "that is
ever so much less than I told you you could get. I am in
communication now with a party whom I know would pay you
considerably more than these people. Have you definitely settled
with them? Perhaps it is not too late to withdraw."
"Withdraw!" I cried. "Never! They are the only tenants I
want. I was determined to get them, and I think I must have
lowered the rent four or five times in the course of the
afternoon. I took a big slice out of it before I mentioned the
sum at all. You see," said I, very impressively, "these Vincents
exactly suit me." And then I went on to state fully the
advantages of the arrangement, omitting, however, any references
to my visions of Miss Vincent swinging in my hammocks or musing
in my study-chair.
It was now May 15, and my steamer would sail on the twenty-
first. The intervening days I employed, not in preparing for my
travels, but in making every possible arrangement for the comfort
and convenience of my incoming tenants. The Vincents did not
wish to take possession until June 1, and I was sorry they had
not applied before I had engaged my passage, for in that case I
would have selected a later date.
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