If this extra height had been divided equally between them,
possibly they might have attracted less observation. As it was,
when they walked to church, the top of the little tailor's beaver
just about reached the shoulders of Mrs. Tubbs. Nevertheless,
they managed to live very happily together, for the most part,
though now and then, when Thomas was a little refractory, his
better half would snatch him up bodily, and, carrying him to the
cellar, lock him up there. Such little incidents only served to
spice their domestic life, and were usually followed by a warm
reconciliation.
"The happy pair had six children, all of whom took after their
mother, and promised to be tall; the oldest boy, twelve years of
age, being already taller than his father, or, rather, he would
have been but for the tall hat and high-heeled boots.
"Mr. Tubbs was a tailor, as I have said. One day there came into
his shop a man attired with extreme shabbiness. Thomas eyed him
askance.
" 'Mr. Tubbs,' said the stranger, 'as you perceive, I am out at
the elbows.
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