“Was there anything special requiring my attendance at this witching hour of the morn?”

“The lawn-mower,” said his sister, sharply.

“Ah, I thought it must be a telegram or a fire,—judging from your agonized voice.”

“If it had been a fire, you would have had to be roused! When you haven’t an earthly thing to do about the house, Jack, I do think that you might get up in time for breakfast.”

“You have some new theories since you began housekeeping. I have some faint recollections about your being the last man in the house to rise, a few weeks ago. I’m sorry, though, I overslept, Barb. I got up the minute you called.

I roused me from my slumbers,

I hied me from my bed.

If I had known what breakfast was,

I would have slept, instead.

Excuse me for turning up my trousers. The coffee seems to be somewhat muddy.”