John Gardner made up his mind to buy his
wife a very unusual present—one she could not
resist. So he asked the salesman to show him—
The Obedient Servant
By S. M. Tenneshaw
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
June 1956
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
They quarreled at breakfast. This was not strange because they quarreled often. But it bothered him after he'd called for his car and was on the way to his office, he realized she was the only one left.
The realization came suddenly and now he was frightened—this strange man who needed friends as a spider needs flies—in order to survive. His wealth had drawn them of course; a fact he refused to believe. But even unlimited resources could not hold them and insult and abuse drove them all finally away. Yet he continued to insult and abuse while painfully seeing them leave. Because that was the kind of man he was.
Until now they were all gone, the dear ones, the relatives, even the fawners and he realized in panic that only Dolores was left.
But she will stay. There is no cause to worry. She will stay because she loves me because she married me.
But he was nervous. He knew this quarrel had to be patched up because he had too much at stake. And knowing only one way to patch a quarrel, he frowned and pondered. A gift of course, but what? She had everything. Another diamond necklace? Another ruby ring? Somehow he felt neither would do the trick this time. The quarrel had been very bitter.