“That’s all,” said his wife, putting down the paper.
“All!” echoed the indignant fireman. “’Ow much more do you want? I’m in a nice ’ole, I don’t think. Seems to me I might as well be in quod as ’ere.”
“You don’t know when you’re well off,” retorted his wife.
Mr. Pinner sighed, and moved aimlessly about the room; then he resumed his chair, and, shaking his head slowly, lit his pipe.
“You’ll be quite safe indoors,” said his wife, whose plan was now perfected. “The only thing is, people’ll wonder what you’re staying indoors all day for.”
Mr. Pinner took his pipe out of his mouth and stared at her blankly.
“Seems to me you want a reason for staying indoors,” she pursued.
“Well, I’ve got one, ain’t I?” said the injured man.
“Yes, but you can’t tell them that,” said his wife. “You want a reason everybody can understand and keep ’em from talking.”
“Yes, all very fine for you to talk,” said Mr. Pinner; “if you could think of a reason it ’ud be more sensible.”