“And what said Jericho? With a sudden qualm at the heart, and with a stammering tongue, he answered:
“‘Why, my dear, I thought you were sound asleep.’”
Here follows a dialogue in the vein of the “Caudle Lectures,” in which Jerrold gives his wit and humour full play. To the perusal of the “give-and-take” passage of arms I cordially commend my readers. The dialogue closes with these words:
“‘I’m sure it’s painful enough to my feelings, and I feel degraded by the question, nevertheless I must and will ask you—When will you let me have some money?’”
This was the last straw, and Jericho groaned out:
“‘I wish to Heaven I was made of money!’”
To which Mrs. Jericho retorted, “in a low, deep, earnest voice:
“‘I wish to Heaven you were!’”
Silence came at last, and in the midst of it Jericho “subsided into muddled sleep; snoring heavily, contemptuously, at the loneliness of his spouse.”