'The widow looked more puzzled than ever, and made an effort to rise. Tom gently pressed her hand,as if to detain her, and she kept her seat. Widows,gentlemen, are not usually timorous, as my uncle used to say.
'"I am sure I am very much obliged to you, Sir, for your good opinion," said the buxom landlady, half laughing; "and if ever I marry again—"
'"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."