“I hope I have not offended you,” said his wife.
“I do not believe it possible for you to do so,” returned he. “You ask me when I shall be rich. I have two or three inventions—one I was about to work out with Charles Peace.”
“Oh the horrid man! Don’t have anything to do with him.”
“I don’t intend, but he has great ingenuity nevertheless; but let that pass. The inventions I am now endeavouring to bring to perfection may turn out successful. If only one of them does so I shall be a rich man; then I suppose you will be satisfied.”
“Oh yes, that would be glorious; but it’s not certain, I suppose.”
“My dear, nothing is certain in this life,” he said quickly. “Positively nothing, except hard work for us all.”
For some time after this both husband and wife remained silent. She cleared the supper table, and he lighted his pipe.
She sat herself down by his side. Presently she said—
“Tom, I should dearly like to know who I am.”
He started, and glanced quickly at her.