AN ARTFUL PAIR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2543, 22 June 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ARTFUL PAIR.

“Womrnera"in the Axistmlasiau tells the following good story : Ah, the poor women. Little do they know how they are “ got at." Here is a story told by one of the offenders : —“ My, school friend, Dr Ex., was going to take a holiday in New Zealand, and asked me to go with him. ‘ Impossible,’ I said. *My wife would never agree to it.’ ‘ Take something to eat in town for a few days before you go to tea,’ said he, ‘ and we’ll manage it.’ I caught this idea, and that night, though a good eater, I made a very poor tea. ‘ Are you ill, John?’ asked my wife. ‘Oh no, dear,’ said I, ‘ only I feel no appetite to night; don’t mind me.’ Next night the same thing happened, though my wife had a very nice tea ready. I trifled with my food, but could not oat. ‘ John, you must be ill,’ said my wife. ‘ Zou should see the doctor.’ ‘ Doctor bo hanged,’ said I; ‘ what do I want with a doctor ? You women are always fanciful, I feel a bit tired, that’s all. Don’t worry about me.’ Another night on the same, with increasing anxiety on the part of my wifo.JDn the fourth evening when|lgothomo she said—‘John, Dr Ex. happened to drop in to-day, and I spoke to him about you.' 1 Spoke to him about me, my dear ? You really take too much on yourself. 1 wish to goodness you would not bother about me; I tell you lam all right.’ ‘ You are not all right, John. You have eaten almost nothing to tea for a week. You take a fairly good breakfast, but that’s not enough for you. Dr Ex. said he had noticed that you were not looking quite yourself. I asked him to prescribe for you, but he said what you wanted was a change and complete rest. You were quite out of tone, and we should have you laid up soon. He recommends a sea voyage.’ ‘ Sea voyage, bless the woman 1 How can I take a sea voyage ? Goodness know's the business is worry enough as it is, but what would become of it if I went away, I should like to know ?’ ‘ And what will become of it if you really get ill?’ replied my wife. ‘Dr Ex. is going for a trip to Now Zealand, and I asked him if he would look after you if you went with him. He did not seem to like the responsibility, but as I made a point of it he said he would, and now, John, you must really go.’ I scouted the idea, and said that even if I could go I would have no doctor prying after mo. But my wife bad set her mind on it, and I was obliged to yield. The doctor aud I had a jolly time. My appetite is quite restored, and my wife insists that she has saved my life."