“Because I’m such a sad old dog? But I don’t bite — never bit any one in my life. A few loose words spilled around don’t hurt any one. And I’m not asking people to come. Don’t want ‘em poking and prying about. What I want is a housekeeper. If I shaved every Sunday and went to church I’d get all the housekeepers I’d want. I’d be respectable then. But what’s the use of going to church when it’s all settled by predestination? Tell me that, Miss.”

“Is it?” said Valancy.

“Yes. Can’t git around it nohow. Wish I could. I don’t want either heaven or hell for steady. Wish a man could have ‘em mixed in equal proportions.”

“Isn’t that the way it is in this world?”