you ever read, Mr. Sawyer, of the Austrian baron who was crossed in
love and decided he would never marry?"

Quincy shook his head.

"Well, he was wealthy and had a big castle, with no one to live in it,
and during his life he adopted, educated, clothed, and sent out into the
world, fitted to make their own living, more than a thousand children.
To my mind, Mr. Sawyer, he was a bigger man than any emperor or king who
has ever lived."

Quincy asked, "But how are you going to start such a reform, Mr.
Pettengill? The first couple that got reunited on the partnership plan
would be the laughing stock of the community."

"Just so," said Uncle Ike, "but I can get over that difficulty. The
State of Massachusetts has led in a great many social reforms. Let it
take the first step forward in this one; let it declare by law that all
marriages on and after a certain day shall terminate five years from the
date of marriage unless the couples wish to renew the bonds. Then let
everybody laugh at everybody else if they want to."

"Well, how about those couples that were married before that day?"

"That's easy," was Uncle Ike's reply. "Give them all a chance five years
after the law to dissolve by mutual consent, if they want to. Don't
forget, Mr. Sawyer, that with such a law there would be no need of
divorce courts, and if any man insulted a woman, imprisonment for life
and even the gallows wouldn't be any too good for him. Will you stay to
lunch, Mr. Sawyer? My chicken is about done."

Quincy arose and politely declined the invitation, saying he had been so
much interested he had remained much longer than he had intended, but he
would be pleased to call again some day if Mr. Pettengill were willing.

"Oh, yes, come any time," said Uncle Ike, "you're a good listener, and I
always like a man that allows me to do most of the talking. By the way,
we didn't get a chance to say much this time about shooting, fishing, or
football."

Quincy went down the steps, and Uncle Ike stood at the door, as he did
before he entered. Swiss looked at Quincy with an expression that seemed
to say, "You have made a pretty long call." Quincy patted him on the
head, called him "good dog," and walked briskly down the path towards
the road. When he was about fifty feet from the house, Uncle Ike called
out sharply, "Mr. Sawyer!" Quincy turned on his heel quickly and looked
towards the speaker. Uncle Ike's voice, still sharp, spoke these
farewell words: