Then came the whole list of misdemeanors which Mrs.Markham thought "perfectly ridiculous," asking her son how he "could put up with such work." Richard wisely forbore taking either side; nor was it necessary that he should speak for Ethie.

She was fully competent to fight her own battle, and she fought it with a will, telling her mother-in-law that she should attend as many parties as she pleased and wear as many masks.

She did not give up her liberty of action when she married.

She was young yet, and should enjoy herself if she chose, and in her own way.
This was all the satisfaction Mrs.Markham could get, and supremely pitying "her poor boy," whom she mentally decided was "henpecked," she took the cars back to Olney, saying to Richard, who accompanied her to the train, "I am sorry for you from the bottom of my heart.

It would be better if you had stayed with me." Richard liked his mother's good opinion, but as he walked back to the hotel he could not help feeling that a mother's interference between man and wife was never very discreet, and he wished the good woman had stayed at home.