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Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt

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I walked up <strong>the</strong> drive to this house, despis<strong>in</strong>g everyth<strong>in</strong>g I saw. Itdidn’t have a garden. It was a scrubland. I didn’t like <strong>the</strong> slopes.“I won’t even go to <strong>the</strong> door,” I thought. I was turn<strong>in</strong>g around at<strong>the</strong> top of <strong>the</strong> drive to go back down when I saw a lady smil<strong>in</strong>gat me through <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>dow, and I thought I ought to expla<strong>in</strong>what I was do<strong>in</strong>g walk<strong>in</strong>g around on her property.I planned what I would say to her: “Good morn<strong>in</strong>g. I was justhav<strong>in</strong>g a quick look at your property. I understand it is for sale.My friend is wait<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong> bottom of <strong>the</strong> drive. He must be atwork by 9:00, so I can’t stop. Good-bye.” I didn’t get a chanceto say any of that to her.“Bro<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Arthur</strong>!” she exclaimed as she opened <strong>the</strong> door.“Do you know me?” I asked.“Yes, I know you. I have tapes of your sermons here. I haveheard you m<strong>in</strong>ister on <strong>the</strong> sea front, and I’ll tell you someth<strong>in</strong>g. Ihave prayed for 12 months that God would send you to thisdoor.”Everyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> me stiffened. “I’m not!” I thought. “I won’t!”“Do you know that my children.…” This sister, Ruth, had sen<strong>the</strong>r son and daughter to Kent to see me while I was <strong>in</strong> America.They had asked Marj if I would consider a straight swap betweenthis house and our house, but Marj had told <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>y wouldhave to wait until I returned from America. At about this sameperiod, Ted Rob<strong>in</strong>son had gone to Wales and had done somework for Ruth. Later, she sent me a photograph of <strong>the</strong> housewhich Ted had showed me after I came home. I had ignored itall, not even remember<strong>in</strong>g any of that as I now stood <strong>in</strong> front ofthis lady’s house.“Well, will you have a look?” Very unwill<strong>in</strong>gly, I was dragged <strong>in</strong>.She showed me <strong>the</strong> kitchen and took me out to show me <strong>the</strong>land.I was itch<strong>in</strong>g to go. “My friend is at <strong>the</strong> bottom of <strong>the</strong> drive andhe has to be at work at 9:00.” I had a good solid excuse. “I mustgo.” I came out <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> passage and stand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>re was BillyPart<strong>in</strong>gton, Bro<strong>the</strong>r Jim’s oldest son. “What are you do<strong>in</strong>g here?”I asked him.187

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