He was out most of the day, and in the evening wanted to retire early.

I was busy all day, and could not go out alone after dark, so came to be a prisoner.
One warm evening I was walking back and forth in front of our house, though I knew it a great risk, when a man overtook me, cleared his throat as if to speak, and passed on to the lamp-post, which had made one limit of my walk.

I did not shorten my path, and when I came up to the post he again cleared his throat as if to speak, and next time stepped out, lifted his hat, and remarked: "A very pleasant evening, Miss." I stopped, looked at him, and said: "It is a very pleasant evening; had you not better walk on and enjoy it ?" He bowed low, and answered: "I beg your pardon, madam.

I was mistaken." "Pardon for what, sir?
It _is_ a very pleasant evening; please to pass on." He did, and I walked till I was tired, thinking of all the sacrifices I had made to be my husband's housekeeper and keep myself in woman's sphere, and here was the outcome! I was degrading him from his position of bread-winner.

If it was my duty to keep his house, it must be his to find me a house to keep, and this life must end.