to work on. I ain't got no wife or kids."

"I'm sure that's fortunate," said Mrs. Laughton. "A family wouldn't have
any peace of their lives with you following such a dangerous business.
And they couldn't see much of you either. I must say I think you'd be a
great deal happier if you reformed--I mean--well, if you left this
business, and took up a quarter-section, and had a wife and--"

"Look here!" cried the man, his patience gone. "Are you a fool, or are
you bluffing me? I've half a mind to knock your head in," he cried,
"and hunt the house over for myself! I would, if there was time."

"You wouldn't find anything if you did," she returned, leaning back in
her chair. "I've looked often enough, when I thought Tom had some money.
I never found any. What are you going to do now?" with a cry of alarm at
his movement.

"I'm going to tie you hand and foot first--"

"Oh, I wouldn't! I'd rather you wouldn't--really! I promise you I won't
leave this chair--"

"I don't mean you shall."

"Oh, how can you treat me so!" she exclaimed, lifting up her streaming
face. "You don't look like a person to treat a woman so. I don't like to
be tied; it makes me feel so helpless."

"What kind of a dumb fool be you, anyway?" said the man, stopping a
moment to stare at her. And he made a step then toward the high chest of
drawers, half bureau, half writing-desk, for a ball of tape he saw lying
there.

"Oh!" she cried, remembering the tar-baby. "Don't! Don't go there! For
mercy's sake, don't go there!" raising her voice till it was like the
wind in the chimney. "Oh, please don't go there!" At which, as if
feeling morally, or rather immorally, sure that what he had come for was
in that spot, he seized the handles of the drawer, and down fell the lid
upon his head with a whack that jammed his hat over his eyes and blinded
him with pain and fury for an instant. And in that instant she had
whipped the roll of money from her belt, and had dropped it underneath
her chair. "I knew it!" she cried. "I knew it would! It always does. I
told you not to go."

"You shet your mouth quick!" roared the man, with a splutter of oaths
between each word.

"That's right," she said, leaning over the arm of the chair, her face
like a pitying saint's. "Don't mind me, I always tell Tom to swear, when
he jams his thumb. I know how it is myself when I'm driving a nail. It's
a great relief. I'd put some cold water on your head, but I promised you
I wouldn't