“Men are very forbearing, in my opinion,” proceeded the major.
“And very unselfish, I suppose,” sneered his wife.
“That’s where you hit the nail on the head, ma’am.”
“I think,” said Alphonso Jones, “it depends very much on social rank. I have the privilege of being intimately acquainted with some of our very highest families, and I can assure you that they are very harmonious. Among the lower orders, no doubt, men often act like brutes; but it is from lack of refinement. My friends, the Tiptops, who have their villa at Newport, never exchange a rude word. I think you are too sweeping in your remarks, Miss Brintnall.”
“I have not the honor of knowing your grand friends, Mr. Jones,” said Miss Brintnall, sarcastically; “but I contend that human nature is everywhere the same. Money and rank don’t change it. I think it very likely that some of your Fifth Avenue grandees beat their wives.”
“O Miss Brintnall!” exclaimed Mr. Bower and Mr. Jones in chorus.
“Yes, I do believe it. I won’t take a word back.”
“I don’t believe your husband will ever beat you, Miss Brintnall,” said Mr. Ingalls, slyly.
“I think not,” said the teacher, decidedly. “I should allow him all the rights which he could fairly claim, but I would not let him infringe upon mine.”
“I wouldn’t marry her for a million dollars,” whispered Mr. Bower to his wife.