"O mamma," she said, "though I have been cross and wilful sometimes, I would do anything in the world to please my husband when he is loving and kind to me.

But do you know, I can't bear to be driven.

I won't; if anybody tries it with me, it just rouses all that is evil in me." "Well, dear, I don't think any one in this house wants to drive you," Elsie said, repeating her caress, "not even your husband; though he is, perhaps, a trifle masterful by nature.

You and he will need to take the two bears into your counsels," she added sportively.
"Two bears, mamma ?" and Zoe looked up in surprise and perplexity.
"Yes, dear; bear and forbear, as the poet sings-- "'The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear, And something every day they live To pity and perhaps forgive.'" Zoe went slowly up to her own rooms and sat down to meditate upon her mother-in-law's words.
"'Bear and forbear.' Well, when Edward reproves me as if he were my father instead of my husband, and talks about what he will and won't allow, I must bear with him, I suppose; and when I want to answer back that I'm my own mistress and not under his control, I must forbear and deny myself the pleasure.

Hard for me to do, but then it isn't to be all on one side; and if he will only forbear lecturing me in the beginning, all will go right.
"I mean to tell him so.