“Well, I don’t think it’s too much to ask of a man to keep an eye on his own children,” says the friend.
“No, of course not,” answers the husband. “And therefore I scolded Louisa for allowing the children to run about with dirty faces and worn-out boots.”
“I never come home but I am scolded,” says the wife; “You spoil every little pleasure I have with your fault-finding.”
And a tiny tear moistens her reddened eyelids. The friend and all the rest of the ladies cast indignant glances at the husband.
An attack is imminent and the friend sharpens her tongue.
“Has anybody here present read Luther’s views on the right of a woman?”
“What right is that?” asks his wife.
“To look out for another partner if she is dissatisfied with the one she has.”
There is a pause.
“A very risky doctrine as far as a woman’s interests are concerned,” says the husband, “for it follows that in similar circumstances a man is justified in doing the same thing. The latter happens much more frequently than the former.”