In a message dated 97-12-12 05:52:12 EST, remc@uhura.cc.rochester.edu writes: << reread "Pretty mouth and green my eyes" >> I think his wife is the one in the bed and her husband lies to the old man.There could be a few reasons why.he regrets calling the old man and he doesn't want to make it a big deal and show him how bad things are and he also might have said some things on the phone he wish he hadn't of said.I also think that the reason the old man told the woman to just sit still is because he's had it,especially after hearing such innocence and sweetness from the guy on the phone.He might even feel a little bit bad after hearing how weak the guy is in the situation.I want to come up with a better reason on why the guy says she got home but I can't.It makes a lot more sense to me when I'm reading it.The guy probably feels pretty stupid,not only depressed.