“How long is your uncle-in-law going to stay here?”
“I do not know, Billy; probably all his life.”
“Oh! he is! Well, I tell you, one of us two’s got to leave!”
“Just as you please, Billy. You know, of course, we can’t turn out a guest to gratify you.”
“Well, I give you warning—that’s all!” and Billy bounced out in high dudgeon. But presently he came back again.
“Look here, ma’am; I don’t want to be onreasonable, but just consider what a difference it makes in my washing and ironing. Look here! every day your uncle-in-law puts on a spic span clean suit, all out! every day, clean jacket, clean trousers, clean shirt, clean what-you-call-’ems, and clean cravat, and pocket-handkerchiefs, and clean socks. Now count. There’s seven pieces every day, and seven days in the week; now, how much is seven sevens? You’re a schollard.”
“Forty-nine!”
“Well, there’s forty-nine pieces of clothing, to say nothing of four sheets and two bolster slips, and two pillow slips, and fourteen towels, and table napkins, I have extra washing and ironing for him every week. Now I’m going to count, and see how much it all ’mounts to—ninety-two pieces! Ninety-two pieces extra washing and ironing I have to do, all along of your pet uncle-in-law! Now, you know I can’t stand that! No reasonable ’oman would want me to stand it!” said Billy, appealingly.
“No, of course not,” said Rose, thoughtfully.
“So onreasonable in any uncle-in-law to act so.”