"I know," said Mrs. Chalk, speaking with some rapidity--"I know just how
it seems to you. But that's how it is. If you want my husband to go you
have got to have me too, and if you have me you have got to have your
wife, and if----"

"What, is there any more of you coming?" demanded Mr. Stobell, with great
bitterness.

Mrs. Chalk ignored the question. "_My_ husband wouldn't be happy without
_me,_" she said, primly. "Would you, Thomas?"

"No," said Mr. Chalk, with a gulp.

"We--we're going a long way," said Mr. Stobell, after a long pause.

"Longer the better," retorted Mrs. Chalk.

"We're going among savages," continued Mr. Stobell, casting about for
arguments; "cannibal savages."

"They won't eat her," said Mrs. Chalk, with a passing glance at the
scanty proportions of her friend, "not while you're about."

"I don't like to take my wife into danger," said Mr. Stobell, with surly
bashfulness; "I'm--I'm too fond of her for that. And she don't want to
come. Do you, Alice?"

"No," said Mrs. Stobell, dutifully, "but I want to share your dangers,
Robert."