"Huh!" said he in surprise. Drawing himself up and holding one foot meditatively in the air, he cocked his head sidewise to have a good look at her.
"I have been thinking things over very seriously," she continued, in the same tone, "and from now on I intend to be a very different sort of wife to you. In the past I have not shared your interests as I should have; but in future I shall make myself your companion in everything. I shall keep informed on all topics of the day, such as the organization of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Insects and the report of the Vice Commission on conditions in the rabbit pen, so as to be able to discuss them with you and give you the benefit of my opinions."
"Say, what's the matter with you?" he demanded. "I'll be plucked if I ever saw you this way before!"
Emboldened by having disconcerted him, she went on to make good her advantage. "And after this I shall always...."
"Sorry, but I'll have to be going. Have an important engagement." He started to move away.
"With whom?"
Startled at the audacity of her question, he inquired ill-humoredly, "Why do you ask?"
"Because I am your wife, and, therefore, take an interest in everything you do."
"You do, do you?" He looked her square in the profile, then lowered his head and pecked thoughtfully at a weed; then he said, "Well, since you are so curious to know—I'm going cricketing with Jim, the turkey."
"Then I'll go with you. You and I together can catch them twice as fast as he can."