“I always give too much to ladies. It’s a weakness of mine, and that’s the way I ruin myself,” said old Joe. “That’s your account. If you asked me for another penny, and made it an open question, I’d repent of being so liberal, and knock off half-a-crown.”

“And now undo my bundle, Joe,” said the first woman.

Joe went down on his knees for the greater convenience of opening it, and, having unfastened a great many knots, dragged out a large heavy roll of some dark stuff.

“What do you call this?” said Joe. “Bed curtains?”

“Ah!” returned the woman, laughing and leaning forward on her crossed arms. “Bed curtains!”

“You don’t mean to say you took ’em down, rings and all, with him lying there?” said Joe.

“Yes, I do,” replied the woman. “Why not?”