"I see you're just as bad as ever," said Mrs. Clifton, in excellent spirits. "But really you must come round and see us. We are boarding in West Sixteenth Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues."
"If your husband will promise not to be jealous, "said Dick.
"I'm not subject to that complaint," said Clifton, coolly. "Got a cigar about you, Hunter?"
"No. I don't smoke."
"No, don't you though? I couldn't get along without it. It's my great comfort."
"Yes, he's always smoking," said Mrs. Clifton, with some asperity. "Our rooms are so full of tobacco smoke, that I don't know but some of my friends will begin to think I smoke myself."
"A man must have some pleasure," said Clifton, not appearing to be much discomposed by his wife's remarks.
It may be mentioned that although Mrs. Clifton was always gay and vivacious in company, there were times when she could display considerable ill-temper, as her husband frequently had occasion to know. Among the sources of difficulty and disagreement was that portion of Mrs. Clifton's fortune which had been settled upon herself, and of which she was never willing to allow her husband the use of a single dollar. In this, however, she had some justification, as he was naturally a spendthrift, and, if placed in his hands, it would soon have melted away.