"Books are better'n beer, Ernie," said Joe Burt, a thought maliciously; and added with the little touch of priggishness that is rarely absent from those who have acquired knowledge comparatively late in life—"They're the bread of life and source of power."
"Maybe," retorted Ernie with a snort; "but they aren't the equal of wife and children, I'll lay."
He left the room surlily.
Burt grinned at the Colonel.
"Ern's one o the much-married uns," he said.
"D'you know his wife?" the Colonel asked.
Joe shook his bull-head.
"Nay," he said. "And don't wish to."
"She's a fine woman all the same," replied the Colonel.
"Happen so," the other answered. "All the more reason a should avoid her. They canna thole me, the women canna. And A don't blame em."