Nor was he satisfied to do merely this, for he presently despatched Arthur into town after an excellent assortment of groceries.

All the while, however, he neglected no opportunity to elaborate for Nellie's benefit his opinions concerning the handy-man's utter worthlessness.

At length this good Samaritan paused from his labors, and regaling himself with a fresh chew of tobacco and a parting gibe at Joe, set briskly off for his own home.
The street lamps demanded his immediate attention, and it was not until his day's work was finished that he found opportunity to tell Mrs.
Shrimplin of these straits to which Nellie had been reduced.

He concluded by reiterating his opinion that her sister had seen the last of Joe.
"I don't know why you say that!" was Mrs.Shrimplin's unexpected rejoinder.
"Ain't I got mighty good reason to say it ?" asked her husband.

"Don't you know, and ain't every one always said Joe was just too low to live?
I'd like to know if it wasn't you said he should never set his foot inside your door ?" "I might say it again, and then I mightn't," rejoined Mrs.Shrimplin, with aggravating composure.
Two days later when the Shrimplins were at breakfast Mrs.Montgomery walked in on them.