The Prince of Graustark

"My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can’t tell me.""I know I can’t," said his wife, quite as positively. She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn’t.It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears. That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open. By this means he effectually shut out the voice of opposition and had the discussion all to himself. Of course, it would have been more convincing if he had been permitted to hear the sound of his own eloquence; still, it was effective.