“But a married man must talk domestic economy unto the same woman every night, which is like a table d’hote menu, of a deadening monotony.
“Behold, I offer no apology for my singleness; for I am unashamed! And my one fear is that I shall awaken from this dream!”
And I answered him, saying, “Even so!”
Yet, as time passed, the hairs dropped one by one from the head of the bachelor, until it shone as a great light.
Lo, from eating and drinking much good food and having no worries, he became round and pudgy, like unto a Billiken.
And the maidens of the land who had trembled at his approach now tittered merrily at sight of him. Yea, whereas, before, he had been able to spend an whole evening with one of them, bringing a box of cheap candy, he now spent all his savings upon them.
For it requireth real orchids and champagne to make a fat man fascinating.
And he observed the married men of his acquaintance, that from overworking they had still kept their figures and were interesting. Yea, and they flirted with their stenographers and were merry; but the bachelor not having to labor had accomplished nothing; for he had spent his days in yawning.
Then he came unto me, crying:
“Lo! At last I would marry and settle down. But she that I once loved hath married another. And how shall I choose a wife? For all women are as one woman unto me.”