Esteeming Joe a gentleman of uncertain habits, and of criminal instincts that might at any moment be translated into vigorous action, Mr.Shrimplin had always been at much pains to placate him.

In the heat of the moment, however, all this was forgotten, and Mr.
Shrimplin's love of decency and rectitude promptly asserted itself.
"It's easy enough to pick flaws in a popular good-looking man like Joe!" said Mrs.Montgomery, with whom time and absence had been at work, also, and to such an extent that the first dim glint of a halo was beginning to fix itself about the curly red head of her delinquent spouse.
"And a whole lot of good them good looks of his has done you, Nellie," rejoined Mr.Shrimplin, with a little cackle of mirth.
"He never even seen his youngest!" said Mrs.Montgomery, giving completely away to tears at this moving thought of the handy-man's deprivation.
"I reckon he could even stand that," observed Mr.Shrimplin unfeelingly.
"I bet he never knowed 'em apart." "Why he was just wrapped up in them and me,--just wrapped up!" cried Mrs.Montgomery.
"Well, he had a blame curious way of showing it; no one would ever have suspected it of him!" said Mr.Shrimplin.
"I guess this wouldn't have happened if his own folks had had more faith in Joe, that's what wore on him,--I seen it wear on him!" declared Mrs.
Montgomery, in a tone of melancholy conviction.
"In the main I'm a truthful man, Nellie,--I wish to be anyhow; and I'll tell you honest I was never able to see much in Joe aside from his good looks, which I know he had, now that you call them to mind.

No,--I think a coat of tar and feathers would be about the thing for Joe; he's the sort of bird to wear that kind of plumage.

My opinion is that you've seen the last of him; no sense in your thinking otherwise, because you're just leaving yourself open to disappointment!" Yet Mr.Shrimplin remained to reinstate Mrs.Montgomery in her home.

It was his expert hands that set up the cracked and rusted kitchen stove, and arranged the scanty and battered furniture in the several rooms.