A philanthropic New York woman was entertaining, in the spacious grounds of her suburban residence, a large number of East-Side children. On her rounds of hospitality she was impressed with one strikingly beautiful little girl. She could not have been more than nine years old, but her coal-black eyes flashed with intelligence. The hostess introduced herself and began a conversation.
"Does what you see here today please you?" she asked. The child eyed her host in silence.
"Talk away," said the lady. "Don't be afraid."
"Tell me," then said the child, "how many children have you got?"
Astonished at the question, the lady hesitated for a moment, and then entered into the fun of the situation.
"Ten," she replied.
"Dear me," answered the child, "that is a very large family, I hope you are careful and look after them. Do you keep them all clean?"
"Well, I do my best."
"And is your husband at work?"
"My husband does not do any kind of work. He never has."