Mr. And Mrs. Williams' happy married life almost went on the rocks because of the presence in the household of old Uncle Ezra. For twelve long years he lived with the Williams, always crotchety, always demanding, always the first one at the table at mealtimes. Finally, the old man caught double pneumonia and died. On the way back from the cemetery, Mr. Williams told his wife that he had a confession to make. “Darling,” he said, “if I didn't love you so much, I don't think I ever could have stood having your Uncle Ezra in the house all that time.”

His wife looked at him, aghast. “My Uncle Ezra!” she cried, “I thought he was your Uncle Ezra.”

    威廉姆夫妇的美好婚姻生活差点由于老以斯拉叔叔的出现而破灭.在漫长的十二年时间里,以斯拉和他们生活在一起,脾气古怪,总是要求这,要求那,吃饭的时候总是他先吃.最后,老人得了严重的肺病死了.从葬礼回来,威廉姆告诉妻子他有一个忏悔要做."亲爱的,"他说,"如果我不是那么爱你,我真想不到我能忍受你的以斯拉叔叔在我们家这么长时间."

    他的妻子吃惊地看着他,"我的叔叔?"她叫道,"我以为他是你的以斯拉叔叔呢!"