laying all the blame upon that "nasty old woman," as she called her mother-in-law.
"If I didn't sit with her in the drawing-room while Sir Thomas is taking his wine," said she, "she would never forgive me; and then, if I leave the room the instant he comes—as I have done once or twice—it is an unpardonable offence against her dear Thomas. She never shewed such disrespect to her husband—and as for affection, wives never think of that now-a-days, she supposes; but things were different in her time—As if there was any good to be done, by staying in the room, when he does nothing but grumble and scold when he's in a bad humour, talk disgusting nonsense when he's in a good one, and go to sleep on the sofa when he's too stupid for either, which is most frequently the case, now when he has nothing to do but to sot over his wine."
"But could you not try to occupy his mind with something better; and engage him to give up such habits? I'm sure you have powers of persuasion, and qualifications for amusing a gentleman, which many ladies would be glad to possess."
"And so you think I would lay myself out for his amusement! No; that's not my idea
