One summer, after general house-cleaning, when fresh paint and paper had made even the kitchen look too dainty for the summer invasion of flies, the queens of the household decided to move the sombre cook-stove into a spacious woodhouse, where it maintained its dignity one week, in the absence of the head of the home.

The mother and daughters were delighted with the change, and wondered why they had not made it before during the summer months.

But their pleasure was shortlived.

Father and sons rose early the first morning after his return and moved the stove back to its old place.

When the wife and daughters came down to get their breakfast (for they did all their own work) they were filled with grief and disappointment.