But if the widow found it so
she had so far shown no evidence of her disgust. Apparently that
means of breaking off the relationship could not be relied upon.
Of course he did not know whether or not she wished to remain, but,
if she did, did he wish her to do so? There was nothing personal
in the matter; it was merely the question as to whether his
prejudice of years against renting that house to any one was to
rule or be overthrown. If she asked him for his decision what
should he say? At night, when he went to bed, his mind was made
up. In the morning when he arose it was unmade. As he told
Captain Hunniwell: "I'm like that old clock I used to have, Sam.
The pendulum of that thing used to work fine, but the hands
wouldn't move. Same way with me. I tick, tick, tick all day over
this pesky business, but I don't get anywheres. It's always half-
past nothin'."
Captain Sam was hugely disgusted. "It ain't more'n quarter past,
if it is that," he declared, emphatically. "It's just nothin', if
you ask me. And say, speakin' of askin', I'd like to ask you this:
How are you goin' to get 'em out, provided you're fool enough to
decide they've got to go? Are you goin' to tell Mrs. Armstrong
right up and down and flat-footed that you can't stand any more of
her? I'd like to hear you say it. Let me know when the show's
goin' to come off.
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