you. There now, as a friend, I have talked out plainly. What do you
think of it? Ain't I right?"

"I don't know," replied Wilkinson, musingly. "Perhaps you are. I
have thought as much, sometimes, myself."

"I know I'm right," said Ellis, positively. "So take a friend's
advice, and never go out after sundown, except in company with your
wife."

There was a change from gravity to mock seriousness in the voice of
Ellis as he closed this sentence. Wilkinson compressed his lips and
shook his head.

"Can't always be tied to my wife's apron-string. Oh, no! haven't
come to that."

"With such a wife, and your temperament, it is the best place for
you," said Ellis, laughing.

"May be it is; but, for all that, I like good company too well to
spend all my time with her."

"Isn't she good company?"

"Oh, yes; but, then, variety is the very spice of life, you know."

"True enough. Well, we'll not quarrel about the matter. Come! let's
go and take a drink; I'm as dry as a fish."