seemed to be
very well worth the sixpence which I paid for it. It was entitled
"Everybody's Book of Bright and Original Conundrums." Of course I had
an idea in my head in buying the book; I am not the man to throw away
my money to no purpose. I thought that these conundrums would be not
only a pleasant amusement, but also a valuable intellectual exercise to
Eliza and myself during the winter evenings. Then we could use them for
social purposes during the Christmas party season. I do not know how it
may be with others, but I have often found, when introduced to a lady,
that I have said "Good evening," and then had absolutely nothing else
to say. With the help of the conundrum book I would fill in any awkward
pause by asking her who was the most amiable king in history. That
would break the ice. Besides, if we kept the book reasonably clean, it
might afterward make a very serviceable and acceptable present to
Eliza's mother. I generally know pretty well what I am doing, I think.
I looked at two or three of the conundrums on the way home. There was
one which I do not remember precisely, but remarkably clever--something
about training the shoot and shooting the train. I often wonder who it
is who thinks of these things.

* * * * *

I was, perhaps, rather unfortunate in the evening when I brought the
book home. Something may have occurred to put Eliza out; she was
inclined to be quite sharp with me. I asked her, gaily, in the passage
when I came in, "Can you tell me, dearest, the difference between a
camel and a corkscrew? If not, here is a little volume which will
inform you."

"Oh, yes! One's used for drawing corks, and the other isn't. You
needn't have wasted sixpence on a rubbishy book to tell me that."

"But your answer is not the correct one," I replied. "The correct
answer contains a joke. Think again."

"Well, I can't, then. I've got the wash to count."

I said that the wash could wait, but she would not appear to hear me,
and went off up-stairs.

* * * * *

At supper I took occasion to say:

"You answered me very tartly when I asked you this afternoon for the
difference between a camel and a corkscrew. Perhaps you would not have
done so had you known that I bought that book with the intention of
sending it as a present to your mother."

"Do you think ma would care about it?"

"I think it would cheer her lonely hours. The