“That wouldn’t matter much if they were happy,” sighed Mrs Shingle.
“Same as you’ve kept poor old Dicky?”
“Indeed! and we never had but one little one,” said Mrs Shingle indignantly.
“Hey?”
“I say we never had but one little one—Jessie,” said Mrs Shingle indignantly.
“Gross piece of extravagance, too. You couldn’t afford children.”
“No, indeed,” sighed Mrs Shingle.
“And now you’re encouraging that pretty young baggage, who coaxes and carneys round you, to get herself in the same mess, and then you’ll be happy.”
“Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear me! I wish I knew what to do,” sighed Mrs Shingle.
“What to do!” chorused the old fellow. “No business to have married. I didn’t, and I’ve saved just enough to live on with strict economy; and see how happy I am.”