THE GRAVY LADLE

 In France, the young assistant pastors do not live in the main
 rectory.  That is reserved for the Pastor and his housekeeper.  One
 day the pastor invited his new young assistant pastor to have dinner
 at the rectory.  While being served, the young pastor noticed how
 shapely and lovely the housekeeper was and down deep in his heart he
 wondered if there was more between the pastor and the housekeeper.

 After the meal was over, the middle-aged pastor assured the young
 priest  that everything was purely professional...that she was the
 housekeeper  and cook and that was that.  About a week later the
 housekeeper came to the pastor and said, "Father, ever since the new
 assistant came for dinner I have not been able to find the beautiful
 silver gravy ladle.

 You don't suppose he took it, do you?"  The Pastor said, " Well, I
 doubt it but I'll write him a letter." So he sat down and wrote, "Dear
 Father, I'm not saying you did take the gravy ladle and I'm not saying
 you did not take the gravy ladle. But the fact remains that it has
 been missing since you were here for dinner."

 The young assistant received the letter, and he answered it as
 follows:  "Dear Father Pastor, I'm not saying that you do sleep with
 the housekeeper and I'm not saying that you do not sleep with the
 housekeeper.  But I do know for sure that if you slept in your own bed
 you would find the gravy ladle."