"Quite so; still, 'tis the meatiest one known in this part of the country. I can't say, however, that 'tis an ideal one for use when ladies are present, so I beg to move the previous question. What was it?" "'Twas that I've seen very little of you this week except when I've been to the store to look for you. Won't the business soon be easier, as you become accustomed to it, so we may have our evenings together once more?" "I hope so," said Philip. "You didn't say that as if you meant it." "Didn't I? Well, dear girl, to-morrow will be Sunday, and you shall have every moment of my time, and 'I shall bathe my weary soul in seas of heavenly rest,' as Caleb frequently sings to himself." "You poor fellow! You need more help in the store, if you don't wish to become worn out." "I don't see how any one could assist me. Caleb is everything he should be, but he has given me to understand that everything really depends upon the proprietor, and the more I learn of the business, the more plainly I see that he is right." Grace asked a few questions, and after Philip had answered them he exclaimed:-- "You artful, inquisitive, dreadful woman! You've dragged out of me a lot of things that I'd determined you shouldn't know, for I've always had an utter contempt for men who inflict their personal troubles upon their wives. But you can imagine from what I've told you that no one but a partner could relieve me of any of my work." "Then why not teach your partner the business?" "'Twill be time to do that when I get one." "Don't be stupid, Phil," Grace said, rising from her chair, going to her husband, and bestowing a little pinch and a caress. "Don't you know who I mean?" "Dear girl," said Philip, "you're quite as clever as I,--which is no compliment,--and everybody adores you. But the idea of your dickering by the hour with farmers and other countrymen--and dickering is simply the soul of our business--is simply ridiculous." "I don't see why," Grace replied, with a pout, followed by a flash in her deep brown eyes. "Some of the farmers' wives 'dicker,' as you call it, quite as sharply as their husbands. Am I stupider than they?" "No--no! What an idea! But--they've been brought up to it." "Which means merely that they've learned it. What women have done woman can do. I hope I'm not in the way in the store when you're talking business?" "In the way! You delicious hypocrite!" "Well, I've listened a lot for business' sake, instead of merely for fun. Besides, I do get dreadfully lonesome in the house at times, in spite of a little work and a lot of play--at the piano. Oh, that reminds me of something. Prepare to be startled. A great revival effort is to begin at the church to-morrow night, and a committee of two, consisting of Caleb and Mr. Grateway, the minister, have been to me to know--guess what they wanted."