"You had no right to try to interfere between Mr. Stafford and Virginia--that was their business."
"So he told me! And when I said that anything that concerned my wife's sister was _my_ business and I wouldn't be associated with a man who didn't treat her right, and walked out, I thought he'd send a messenger after me before I reached the corner. In fact, I waited at the corner."
"But the messenger didn't come," she said sarcastically.
"No. But even that didn't bother me much--then! I thought I'd soon get another job just as good."
Fanny shrugged her shoulders. With a sigh she said:
"I wonder if you'll ever have one 'just as good.'"
"Of course, I will," he said confidently.
"I'm likely to get a good job most any time."
"Well, till you do," she retorted, "hang on to the one you have. When rent day comes, thirteen dollars in real money is a heap sight better than a hundred and fifty in hopes."
Jim shifted about uneasily on his feet. Stupidly he said:
"Besides," he said with some hesitation, "one of my ideas might turn out big."
"Oh, I know you don't believe in 'em any more," he went on. "But let me tell you this--I've got one idea right now that would make me five hundred dollars just as easy as that--" He snapped his fingers at her as he continued: "Do you hear? As easy as that!" His wife, still skeptical, seemed to pay no heed, so petulantly he inquired: "Why don't you ask me about it?"
Fanny again stopped in her work and looked up.
"What is it?" she demanded in a resigned tone.
Jimmie frowned. He did not like his wife's incredulous attitude.
"That's a fine way to ask!" he exclaimed. Imitating her tone he went on: "What is it? You'd show more interest than that if I told you Mrs. Brown's canary had died of the croup!"
In spite of herself Fanny smiled. She was too good-natured to remain cross very long. After all, it was only natural that her husband should confide in her. In a more conciliatory tone, she said:
"I didn't mean anything, Jimmie. What _is_ the idea?"
"What's the use? You wouldn't think it was any good."
"All right, then, don't!" she exclaimed, turning away. "I know there'd be nothing in it, anyway."
He followed her across the room. Airily he said:
"Is that so? Well, just to prove that there is something in it, I _will_ tell you. Of course I shouldn't really expect to do it--but the idea's there just the same."