"BUSINESS?

"Oh, yes--I dare say! Pretty business a married man and the father
of a family must have out of doors at one in the morning. What?

"I SHALL DRIVE YOU MAD?

"Oh, no; you haven't feelings enough to go mad--you'd be a better
man, Caudle, if you had.

"WILL I LISTEN TO YOU?

"What's the use? Of course you've some story to put me off with--you
can all do that, and laugh at us afterwards.

"No, Caudle, don't say that. I'm not always trying to find fault--
not I. It's you. I never speak but when there's occasion; and what
in my time I've put up with there isn't anybody in the world that
knows.

"WILL I HEAR YOUR STORY?

"Oh, you may tell it if you please; go on: only mind, I sha'n't
believe a word of it. I'm not such a fool as other women are, I can
tell you.

"There, now--don't begin to swear--but go on--" -

"--And that's your story, is it? That's your excuse for the hours
you keep! That's your apology for undermining my health and ruining