He never suspected our cheap sofa for a moment.

After I had, by slow degrees, recovered from my chagrin and disappointment, my thoughts turned, naturally, upon a disposition of the sofa.

What was to be done with it?
As to keeping it over another season, that was not to be thought of for a moment.
But, would it be right, I asked myself, to send it back to auctions and let it thus go into the possession of some housekeeper, as ignorant of its real character as I had been?
I found it very hard to reconcile my conscience to such a disposition of the sofa.

And there was still another difficulty in the way.

What excuse for parting with it could I make to Mr.Smith?
He had never suspected that article to be the origination of all the mischief and loss we had sustained.
Winter began drawing to a close, and still the sofa remained in its place, and still was I in perplexity as to what should be done with it.
"Business requires me to go to Charleston," said Mr.Smith, one day late in February.
"How long will you be away ?" was my natural enquiry.
"From ten days to two weeks," replied Mr.Smith.
"So long as that ?" "It will hardly be possible to get home earlier than the time I have mentioned." "You go in the Osprey ?" "Yes.