"Oh, he is like most other men, I suppose," she replied; "they amuse themselves with their children, now and then, and whip them occasionally, too, when anything occurs to annoy them."
"You believe that husband and wife should have equal responsibilities in such matters?"
"Yes, to be sure I do. But even in this respect men have made what division they chose."
I expressed a desire to take my leave. She appeared much astonished, and asked if I would not first drink coffee; "but, it is true," she added, "you have no one to talk with."
She is not the first married woman, I thought, who makes covert attacks on her husband.
"Fru Atlung!" I said, "you have no reason to speak so to me."
"No, I have not. You must excuse me."
It was growing dusk; but unless I was greatly in error, she was almost ready to weep.
So I took my seat on the other side of the table. "I have a feeling, dear Fru Atlung, that you desire to talk to some one; but I am surely not the right person."
"And why not?" she asked.