"Thank you, Mother. Now show us where we sleep, and we'll let you get back into your comfy bed."
"You'll sleep in our bed, and Dad and I will take the couch and the davenport."
"Oh, no," protested Joe. "Pearl and I can sleep on the couch and davenport. No use you giving up your bed. Besides Dad doesn't like those broken springs on the couch ... do you, Dad?"
His father-in-law grinned. "Of course not, son. But you are dealing with your mother-in-law, and there's no arguing. For thirty years she has made a practice of making herself—and me—uncomfortable when the kids come home. She couldn't sleep if she wasn't putting herself out!"
"Yeah, I know," agreed Joe. "The Mother-Martyr complex. She's got the worst case I ever saw!"
"Joe, you're the greatest kidder ..." said Grandmother.
"Who's kidding?" asked Joe, grinning at her. "Show me to my bedroom before you change your mind."
Long after the house was silent, he lay beside Pearl, thinking.
"Are you asleep?" she asked finally.
"You're awake too?" he asked.