“In conclusion, let me say that I am very happy in heaven, though it is considerably more quiet than any place I ever lived in before. I have met a great many friends here, but no relatives except my wife. Farewell, as I shall probably never see you again.
“Yours,
“Ebeneezer Judson.
“P.S. All of your previous husbands are here, in the sunny section set aside for martyrs. None of them give you a good reputation.
“E. J.”
“Don’t it beat all,” muttered Mrs. Dodd to herself, excitedly. “Here was Ebeneezer at my door last night, an’ I never knowed it. Sakes alive, if I had knowed it, I wouldn’t have slep’ like I did. Here comes that Holmes hussy. Wonder what she knows!”
“Do you believe in spirits, Mrs. Dodd?” inquired Mrs. Holmes, in a careless tone that did not deceive her listener.
“Depends,” returned the other, with an evident distaste for the subject.
“Do you believe spirits can walk?”
“I ain’t never seen no spirits walk, but I’ve seen folks try to walk that was full of spirits, and there wa’n’t no visible improvement in their steppin’.” This was a pleasant allusion to the departed Mr. Holmes, who was currently said to have “drunk hisself to death.”