'I told that housekeeper of mine that I'd be back when I got good and ready; it might be to-night and it might be ten days from now.

"If I ain't back in a week you can hunt me up," I told her; "but not before.

And that goes." I've got HER trained all right.

She knows me.

It's a pity if a man can't be independent of females.' "I knew consider'ble many men that was subjects for pity, 'cordin' to that rule.