At age 83, Granddad was admitted to the hospital for the first time. “What is this?” he asked as he held up the bell cord they had fastened to his pillow.

“That's the bell, Granddad,” I replied.

He pulled it several times, then remarked, “I don't hear it ringing.”

“Oh, it doesn't ring,” I explained. “It turns on a light in the hall for the nurse.”

“Well!” he replied indignantly, “if the nurse wants a light on in the hall, she can turn it on herself!”