“Well, I heard someone wrangling with central today because the house answered when it was the office that was wanted.” She laughed. “I know there are people who fancy the doctor's wife enjoying to the utmost her ‘sweet privilege’ of answering the 'phone in her husband's absence. Poor, innocent souls! If they could only know the deadly weariness of it all—but they can't.”
“Why, I didn't know you felt quite that way about it, Mary. I suppose I can disconnect it but—”
“But you don't see how you can? Never mind, then. We'll go on, and some sweet day you'll retire from practice. Then hully-gee! won't I be free! You didn't choose the right sort of helpmeet, John. You surely could have selected one who would enjoy thrusting herself into the reluctant confidences of people far more than this one.”
“I'm resigned to my lot,” laughed John, as he kissed his wife and departed.
Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling.
“Is this you, Doctor?”
“Yes.”
“What am I ever to do with Jane?”
“Keep her in bed! That's what to do with her.”