A worried Mrs. Melchnik sprang to the telephone
when it rang and listened with relief to the kindly
voice in her ear.

"How are you, darling?" it said. "What kind of a
day are you having?"

"Oh, mother," said the housewife, breaking into bitter
tears, "I've had such a bad day. The baby won't eat
and the washing machine broke down. I haven't had
a chance to go shopping, and besides, I've just
sprained my ankle and I have to hobble around. On
top of that, the house is a mess and I'm supposed to
have two couples to dinner tonight."

The mother was shocked and was at once all
sympathy. "Oh, darling," she said, "sit down, relax,
and close your eyes. I'll be over in half an hour. I'll
do your shopping, clean up the house, and cook your
dinner for you. I'll feed the baby and I'll call a repairman
I know who'll be at your house to fix the washing
machine promptly. Now stop crying. I'll do everything.
In fact, I'll even call George at the office and tell him he
ought to come home and help out for once."

"George?" said the housewife. "Who's George?"

"Why, George! Your husband! ....Is this 555-1374?

"No, this is 555-1375."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I have the wrong number."

There was a short pause and the housewife said,
"Does this mean you're not coming over?"