“Then what shall it be?” asked the Landlady.
“Well—a receipt in full for my bill to date,” said the Idiot.
“Mercy!” cried the Landlady. “I couldn’t afford that—”
“Oh, yes you could,” said the Idiot. “Because for your Christmas I’d give you a check in full for the amount.”
“Oh—I see,” smiled the Landlady. “Then what do we get for our Christmas? Strikes me it’s about as broad as it is long.”
“Precisely,” said the Idiot. “We get even—and that’s about as conducive to a happy Christmas, to Peace on Earth and Good-will to men, as any condition I know of. If I can get square for Christmas I don’t want anything else.”
THE END
Transcriber’s Note: