You can't--you mustn't--just because of to-day! I _can_ do it.

I have done it.

I've done it days and days, and it's gone beautifully--even if they did say I couldn't!" "Couldn't what ?" "Be an e-efficient housekeeper." "Who said you couldn't ?" "Aunt Hannah and K-Kate." Bertram said a savage word under his breath.
"Holy smoke, Billy! I didn't marry you for a cook or a scrub-lady.

If you _had_ to do it, that would be another matter, of course; and if we did have to do it, we wouldn't have a big house like this for you to do it in.

But I didn't marry for a cook, and I knew I wasn't getting one when I married you." Billy bridled into instant wrath.
"Well, I like that, Bertram Henshaw! Can't I cook?
Haven't I proved that I can cook ?" Bertram laughed, and kissed the indignant lips till they quivered into an unwilling smile.
"Bless your spunky little heart, of course you have! But that doesn't mean that I want you to do it.