“Whose clock is that?”
“Johnson's haven't got one like that.”
“Miller's haven't neither.”
“I'll tell you—it's Gray's—their clock strikes quick like that.”
“Then there's somebody at their 'phone listenin'!”
“Goodness! Maybe it's Jake, just like him!”
“Jake Gray, if that's you, you're a mean eavesdroppin' sneak an' that's what I think of you! Good-bye, Nettie.” And as the receiver slammed into its place the doctor shook with laughter.
“This seems to be my opportunity,” he thought, then rang and delivered the message to his wife. Often these dialogues kept him from hearing or delivering some important message and then he fumed inwardly, but tonight he had time to spare and to laugh.
After a little the 'phone rang. “It's someone wanting you, Doctor,” said the man of the house who answered it. The doctor went.