Gud shook hands with his caller and, removing the pot of beans from the hot rocks in the center of the fire, asked him to be seated.
The Devil, throwing off his cape, sat down in the flames and poked his feet comfortably into the glowing coals.
"You are very considerate," said the Devil, as he took out his pipe and filled the bowl with brimstone; "most fellows of your ilk would let me shiver or make me start my own fire."
"Don't mention it," said Gud. "You have, I believe, a partnership proposition."
"That I have," returned the Devil, "but first may I ask how you came to be out of employment?"
"I smashed everything," explained Gud, "and quit business. The place got too big to be handled easily and I couldn't get efficient help. I thought I would retire, or at least take a long vacation; but you know how that goes, we are all creatures of habit."
"Yes," agreed the Devil, "many of us are like that. We try to do too much, and get discouraged and throw up everything. However, I have always been a hard worker and rather liked it."
"But you are out of a job now," said Gud significantly, "and before I can talk business I will have to know why."
"Certainly," said the Devil, "I am out of employment for the very excellent reason that my god died."
"What! You don't mean it?"