"All right," said I; "but what shall we do with the cottage? You know we
hold the lease for another year, with the 'refusal' to buy."
"Rent it to your worst enemy, or, better still, get him to buy it. Just
think of the exquisite revenge you could take that way. Twenty-four
hours every day, for four long months each year, to know that you had
him planted next door to a 'chronic kicker.' Or don't you hate anybody
bad enough for that?" and my wife actually shuddered.
"I don't believe I do, dear," said I; "but I'll do my level best to
_rent_ it to him for one season. You know I wouldn't care to murder him;
if he's hopelessly maimed I'll be satisfied."
We both laughed; but the next day I advertised the lease of a cottage
for sale very cheap, and gave as a reason my desire to go where there
were fewer people. I think this will catch my enemy. He likes a crowd,
and he'd enjoy nothing better than to feel that I was forced to pay half
of his rent. So I marked the paper and sent it to him, and confidently
await the result.