"I can see that you are very unhappy, and the cause you name is quite sufficient."
"In one respect, I am very lucky. I have a little money of my own, and that enables me to go and live by myself. Most women haven't this resource: many are compelled to live in degradation only for want of it. I should like to see how many homes would be broken up, if all women were suddenly made independent in the same way that I am. How I should enjoy that! I hate the very word 'marriage'!"
Cecily averted her face, and said nothing. After a pause, her companion continued in a calm voice:
"You can't sympathize with that, I know. And you are comparing my position with your own."
No answer was possible, for Mrs. Travis had spoken the truth.
"In the first year of my marriage, I used to do the same whenever I heard of any woman who was miserable with her husband."
"Is there no possibility of winning back your husband?" Cecily asked, in a veiled voice.
"Winning him back? Oh, he is affectionate enough. But you mean winning him back to faithfulness. My husband happens to be the average man, and the average man isn't a pleasant person to talk about, in this respect."
"Are you not too general in your condemnation, Mrs. Travis?"
"I am content you should think so. You are very young still, and there's no good in making the world ugly for you as long as it can seem rosy."