Why _would_ he attempt the impossible?
But the kind fellow couldn't disregard his wife's request.

Shall I ever forget her.

"Oh--yes--I see" ?--when obviously she saw nothing but the wall at which she sat staring.' 'I have known her like,' said Miss Barfoot merrily.
'I am convinced his madness didn't come from business anxiety.

It was the necessity, ever recurring, ever before him, of expounding jokes to his wife.

Believe me, it was nothing but that.' 'It seems very probable,' asserted Rhoda dryly.
'Then there's another friend of yours whose marriage has been unfortunate,' said the hostess.