Once upon a time a poor farmer and his wife, having finished their day’s labour and eaten their frugal supper, were sitting by the fire, when a dispute arose between them as to who should shut the door, which had been blown open by a gust of wind.

“Wife, shut the door!” said the man.

“Husband, shut it yourself!” said the woman.

“I will not shut it, and you shall not shut it,” said the husband; “but let the one who speaks the first word shut it.”

This proposal pleased the wife exceedingly, and so the old couple, well satisfied, retired in silence to bed.