"My wife is just as real as your husband," he responded bluntly.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that if you really have a husband, it is an extremely surprising confession."
"Why surprising?"
"Well, it's true that husbands are like Somebody's sewing-machines, no home being complete without one," he laughed. "But I really had no idea that Mademoiselle Carmela Rosselli possessed such a useful commodity."
"What!" I gasped, glaring at the hideous-looking Owl. "You know me?"
"Yes," he responded, in a deeper tone, more earnestly than before. "I know quite well who you are. I have come here to-night expressly to speak with you."
I started, and stood glaring at him in wonderment.
"I have," he added, in a low, confidential voice, "something important to say to you—something most important."