“ ‘ If ,’ said Tom Smart, looking very shrewdly out of the right-hand corner of his left eye. ‘ If ⁠—’

‘Well,’ said the widow, laughing outright this time. ‘ When I do, I hope I shall have as good a husband as you describe.’

“ ‘Jinkins, to wit,’ said Tom.

“ ‘Lor, sir!’ exclaimed the widow.

“ ‘Oh, don’t tell me,’ said Tom, ‘I know him.’

“ ‘I am sure nobody who knows him, knows anything bad of him,’ said the widow, bridling up at the mysterious air with which Tom had spoken.

“ ‘Hem!’ said Tom Smart.