re came a silly laugh of happiness. I
had dined well, on the whole, so I said:

"I am glad to see you cheerful again, William."

I meant that I approved his cheerfulness, because it helped my
digestion, but he must needs think I was sympathizing with him.

"Thank you, sir," he answered. "Oh, sir! when she nodded and I saw it
was all right, I could have gone down on my knees to God."

I was as much horrified as if he had dropped a plate on my toes. Even
William, disgracefully emotional as he was at the moment, flung out his
arms to recall the shameful words.

"Coffee, William!" I said, sharply.

I sipped my coffee indignantly, for it was plain to me that William had
something on his mind.

"You are not vexed with me, sir?" he had the hardihood to whisper.

"It was a liberty," I said.

"I know, sir; but I was beside myself."

"That was a liberty also."

He hesitated, and then blurted out:

"It is my wife, sir. She----"

I stopped him with my hand. William, whom I had favored in so many
ways, was a married man! I might have guessed as much years before had
I ever reflected about waiters, for I knew vaguely that his class did
this sort of thing. His confession was distasteful to me, and I said,
warningly:

"Remember where you are, William."

"Yes, sir; but, you see, she is so delicate----"

"Delicate! I forbid your speaking to me on unpleasant topics."

"Yes, sir; begging your pardon."

It was characteristic of William to beg my pardon and withdraw his wife
like some unsuccessful dish, as if its taste would not remain in the
mouth. I shall be chided for questioning him further about his wife,
but, though doubtless an unusual step, it was only bad form
superficially, for my motive was irreproachable. I inquired for his
wife, not because I was interested in her welfare, but in the hope of
allaying my irritation. So I am entitled to invite the wayfarer who has
bespattered me with mud to scrape it off.

I desired to be told by William that the girl's signals meant his
wife's recovery to health. He should have seen that such was my wish
and answered accordingly. But, with the brutal inconsiderateness of his
class, he said:

"She has had a good day, but the doctor, he--the doctor is afeard she
is dying."

Already I repented my question. William and his wife seemed in league
against me, when they might so easily have chosen some other member.

"Pooh the doctor," I said.

"Yes, sir," he answered.

"