Women don't really care how their men look. But they want to look up to them which is a reason I haven't given before for their sex superior- ity. It is really forced on them ! And they want them kind and even a bit patronizing. Also they want them well, because a sick man can come the closest thing in the world to biting the hand that feeds him. And loyal, of course, and not too tidy and to be hungry at meals. And not to be too bitter about going out in the evenings.
And the one thing they do not want is to have their men know how well they understand them. It is one of their pet little-boy conceits, this being misunderstood. It has survived from the time of that early punishment when each and every one of them contemplated running off and going to sea. Most of them still contemplate that running off. They visualize great spaces, and freedom, and tropic isles, and well, you know. "Where there ain't no Ten Commandments and a man can raise a thirst." (You know, Irvin!)
Yes, they contemplate it every now and then, and then they go home, and put on a fresh collar for dinner, and examine the vegetable garden, and take the children out in the machine for a few minutes' fresh air, and have a pillow fight in the nursery, and forget the other thing.
Which is exactly like a man.
