boys: it was my wife, sure as a gun. Thar wasn't any instinct thar.
'Maybe the young ladies want somethin',' I said. 'Did you hear me?' says
she; and with that she jumps forward, and I left. It's ten years, boys,
since I've seen the old woman; but somehow, when she fetched that leap,
I naterally left."

He had been standing beside the bar--his usual attitude--when he made
this speech; but at this point he half faced his auditors with a look
that was very effective. Indeed, a few who had exhibited some signs
of scepticism and lack of interest, at once assumed an appearance of
intense gratification and curiosity as he went on,--

"Well, by hangin round there for a day or two, I found out at last it
was to be Melindy's birthday next week, and that she was goin' to have
a big party. I tell ye what, boys, it weren't no slouch of a reception.
The whole house was bloomin' with flowers, and blazin' with lights; and
there was no end of servants and plate and refreshments and fixin's"--

"Uncle Joe."

"Well?"

"Where did they get the money?"

Plunkett faced his interlocutor with a severe glance. "I always said,"
he replied slowly, "that, when I went home, I'd send on ahead of me a
draft for ten thousand dollars. I always said that, didn't I? Eh? And I
said I was goin' home--and I've been home, haven't I? Well?"

Either there was something irresistibly conclusive in this logic, or