'Washing and ironing I daily have to do;
Baking and brewing I must remember too;
Three small children to maintain:
Oh, how I wish I was single again!'"
sang Joe with irresistible drollery.
Granny laughed; but she winked her eyes hard, and something suspicious shone in them.
"It would be splendid, and no mistake! To think of having a piano, and learning French, and riding in a carriage—'A coach and four and a gold galore!' And then pretty Peggy we should"—
Joe made a great pause, for something stuck in his throat.
"But couldn't we ever see you?" asked Charlie.
An awesome silence fell over the little group.