"Perhaps it isn't; but if that's the case, why doesn't he come home?"
"He may have been detained by business."
"Oh, yes; very important business!" chuckled Stephen. "I guess he'll find it very important and pressing."
"Is that what you have come to tell me, Stephen Palmer?"
"No, not exactly. The fact is, Mrs. Palmer, I am hard up."
"I believe you always are."
"Right you are. The fact is, I am very unlucky. Nothing seems to go right with me. I have a hard struggle to get along."
"There's one remedy you might find, Stephen," said the widow, sternly.
"What is that?"
"Work."