"You're off the line there," said Dale. "We're quite an old Darby and Joan."
"Really!" And Mr. Ridgett's smile, as he regarded Mrs. Dale, expressed admiration and surprise. "Appearances are deceitful. And how long may you have been running in double harness?"
"Eleven years," said Dale.
"No," said Mrs. Dale.
"No," said her husband. "We haven't been blessed that way—not as yet."
"I note the addition. Not as yet! Very neatly put." Mr. Ridgett laughed, and bowed gallantly to Mrs. Dale. "Plenty of time for any amount of blessings."
Then they all sat down to the table.
During the course of the meal, and again when it was over, they spoke of the business that lay before Dale on the morrow.
"I've ventured to tell your husband that perhaps he has been taking it all too seriously."