Early the next morning he was on hand asking for the latest tidings from the sick-room, and again he was informed that his wife still appeared to be improving. Twice daily all through the week he received similar reports.
But one morning when he called he was met with the distressing news that she had passed away. In a daze the widower started down the street to find an undertaking establishment. On the way he met an acquaintance and the latter said:
“Well, how’s your wife to-day?”
“She iss dead,” answered the bereft one.
“Ach!” said his friend. “That’s too bad. I thought she was getting along first rate. What did she die of?”
“Improvements.”
§ 323 Proving That Figures Don’t Lie
Three patricians of the coal yards fared forth on mercy bent, each in his great black chariot. Their overlord, the yard superintendent, had bade them deliver to seven families a total of twenty-eight tons of coal equally divided.
Well out of the yards, each with his first load, Kelly and Burke and Shea paused to discuss the problem of equal distribution—how much coal should each family get?
“ ’Tis this way,” argued Burke. “ ’Tis but a bit of mathematics. If there are 7 families an’ 28 tons o’ coal ye divide 28 by 7, which is done as follows: Seven into 8 is 1, 7 into 21 is 3, which makes 13.”