know, now. And you're the sweetest I ever knew."

His joy was boundless. When he returned from combing his hair in
the bedroom and sat down at the small table opposite her, he
paused with knife and fork in hand.

"Say, bein' married is a whole lot more than it's cracked up to
be by most married folks. Honest to God, Saxon, we can show 'em a
few. We can give 'em cards and spades an' little casino an' win
out on big casino and the aces. I've got but one kick comin'."

The instant apprehension in her eyes provoked a chuckle from him.

"An' that is that we didn't get married quick enough. Just think.
I've lost a whole week of this."

Her eyes shone with gratitude and happiness, and in her heart she
solemnly pledged herself that never in all their married life
would it be otherwise.

Supper finished, she cleared the table and began washing the
dishes at the sink. When he evinced the intention of wiping them,
she caught him by the lapels of the coat and backed him into a
chair.

"You'll sit right there, if you know what's good for you. Now be
good and mind what I say. Also, you will smoke a cigarette.--No;
you're not going to watch me. There's the morning paper beside
you. And if you don't hurry to read it, I'll be through these
dishes before you've started."