“No, it doesn’t; never; well, very seldom, and that’s the same thing. Can I help it, if the blacks will fly, and the things must be rinsed again? Don’t say that; I’m not made happy by the blacks, and they don’t prolong my enjoyment; and, more than that, you’re an unfeeling man to say so. You’re enough to make a woman wish herself in her grave - you are, Caudle.
“And a pretty example you set to your sons! Because we’d a little wash to-day, and there wasn’t a hot dinner - and who thinks of getting anything hot for washer-women? - because you hadn’t everything as you always have it, you must swear at the cold mutton - and you don’t know what that mutton costs a pound, I dare say - you must swear at a sweet, wholesome joint like a lord. What?
“You didn’t swear?
“Yes; it’s very well for you to say so; but I know when you’re swearing; and you swear when you little think it; and I say you must go on swearing as you did, and seize your hat like a savage, and rush out of the house, and go and take your dinner at a tavern! A pretty wife people must think you have, when they find you dining at a public-house. A nice home they must think you have, Mr. Caudle! What?
“You’ll do so every time I wash?
“Very well, Mr. Caudle - very well. We’ll soon see who’s tired of that, first; for I’ll wash a stocking a day if that’s all, sooner than you should have everything as you like. Ha! that’s so like you: you’d trample everybody under foot, if you could - you know you would, Caudle, so don’t deny it.
“Now, if you begin to shout in that manner, I’ll leave the bed. It’s very hard that I can’t say a single word to you, but you must almost raise the place.
“You didn’t shout?
“I don’t know what you call shouting, then! I’m sure the people must hear you in the next house. No - it won’t do to call me soft names, now, Caudle: I’m not the fool that I was when I was first married - I know better now. You’re to treat me in the manner you have, all day; and then at night, the only time and place when I can get a word in, you want to go to sleep. How can you be so mean, Caudle?
“What?