The lady was suffering from a severe cold, which made her slightly deaf, and she mistakenly supposed that the young man was inquiring about her cold.
She replied that she usually had one every winter but this was the worse she had ever had; it kept her awake at night a good deal at first and confined her to her bed.
Then noticing that the young bookkeeper was becoming pale and nervous, she said that she could see by his looks that he was going to have one just like hers and asked him if he wished to lie down.
The books were posted just the same next day but the young bookkeeper has given up inquiring about babies.
George, you may bring me two fried eggs, some ham, a pot of coffee and some rolls, said the man to the waiter.
Yes, sir.
His companion said, you may bring me the same. No; just eliminate the eggs.
Yes, sir.