"The case of the young Duke of Bordeaux is different."
"Then you confess that a boy can't be sent to school before he is seven years old?" she says with emphasis. [More logic.]
"No, my dear, I don't confess that at all. There is a great deal of difference between private and public education."
"That's precisely why I don't want to send Charles to school yet. He ought to be much stronger than he is, to go there."
"Charles is very strong for his age."
"Charles? That's the way with men! Why, Charles has a very weak constitution; he takes after you. [Here she changes from tu to vous.] But if you are determined to get rid of your son, why put him out to board, of course. I have noticed for some time that the dear child annoys you."
"Annoys me? The idea! But we are answerable for our children, are we not? It is time Charles' education was began: he is getting very bad habits here, he obeys no one, he thinks himself perfectly free to do as he likes, he hits everybody and nobody dares to hit him back. He ought to be placed in the midst of his equals, or he will grow up with the most detestable temper."
"Thank you: so I am bringing Charles up badly!"
"I did not say that: but you will always have excellent reasons for keeping him at home."
Here the vous becomes reciprocal and the discussion takes a bitter turn on both sides. Your wife is very willing to wound you by saying vous, but she feels cross when it becomes mutual.