"Even so, what matter?" Lazarus asked.
"Hath it not been since the days of Moses that a man be the rightful head of the woman, and to him is given power to put her away when his judgment sees fit?"
"Yea, for spoiling his mutton."
"And what man chooseth to dine on spoiled mutton?"
"Or scorching his porridge?"
"Scorched porridge maketh not a sweet temper for a man."
"Or speaking back with a sharp tongue?"
"Shouldst not a woman's tongue be meek in the presence of her husband?"
"And in thine own memory," Lazarus said to Joel as a climax, "hath not a Rabbi put away an old and faithful wife for a fresh and ruddy one, for no reason save her lack of freshness?"
"So doth the Law give man his right," Joel answered.