But I am afraid the working men do not sufficiently realise what heavy, onerous and persistent duties fall upon the wife.

With nerves of brass they do not appreciate the fact that wives may be, and are, very differently constituted to themselves.

Many wives are lonely; but the husbands do not always understand the gloomy imaginations that pervade the lonely hours.

The physical laws that govern women's personal health make periods of depression and excitement not only possible, but certain.
Let us consider for a moment the life of a poor man's wife in London, where her difficulties are increased by high rent and a long absence of the husband.

She has the four everlasting walls to look at, eternal anxieties as to the future, the repeated weekly difficulties of making ends meet, and too often the same lack of consideration from the husband.
The week's washing for the family she must do, the mending and darning for the household is her task, the children must be washed and clothed and properly cared for by her.