Mr. Riley suddenly veered in his mad career and bolted into a dark corner between the stove and the wood-box , William Adolphus let go just in time . There never was any more trouble with Mr. Riley after that . A meeker , more thoroughly chastened dog you could not find . William Adolphus had the best of it and he kept it . Seeing that things had calmed down and that it was five o'clock I decided to get tea . I told Alexander Abraham that I would prepare it , if he would show me where the eatables were . `` You need n't mind , '' said Alexander Abraham . `` I 've been in the habit of getting my own tea for twenty years . '' `` I daresay . But you have n't been in the habit of getting mine , '' I said firmly . `` I would n't eat anything you cooked if I starved to death . If you want some occupation , you 'd better get some salve and anoint the scratches on that poor dog 's back . '' Alexander Abraham said something that I prudently did not hear . Seeing that he had no information to hand out I went on an exploring expedition into the pantry . The place was awful beyond description , and for the first time a vague sentiment of pity for Alexander Abraham glimmered in my breast . When a man had to live in such surroundings the wonder was , not that he hated women , but that he did n't hate the whole human race . But I got up a supper somehow . I am noted for getting up suppers . The bread was from the Carmody bakery and I made good tea and excellent toast ; besides , I found a can of peaches in the pantry which , as they were bought , I was n't afraid to eat . That tea and toast mellowed Alexander Abraham in spite of himself .
He ate the last crust , and did n't growl when I gave William XXXXX all the cream that was left .
Abraham Adolphus Carmody Riley first habit o'clock salve wood-box years