“Find some occupation in the house. No one need ever be idle in a house like this.”
He would have liked to suggest some outside occupation, but he had not the courage.
He ate, slept, and went for walks. If he happened to enter the barn or the stables, he was sure to be in the way and be scolded by his wife.
One day, when he had grumbled more than usual, while the children had been running about, neglected by the nurse, she said:
“Why don’t you look after the children? That would give you something to do.”
He stared at her. Did she really mean it?
“Well, why shouldn’t he look after the children? Was there anything strange in her suggestion?”
He thought the matter over and found nothing strange in it. Henceforth he took the children for a walk every day.
One morning, when he was ready to go out, the children were not dressed. The lawyer felt angry and went grumbling to his wife; of the servants he was afraid.
“Why aren’t the children dressed?” he asked.