He often put his band to his head, pulled down the comers of his mouth, and shammed pains he did not feel.

But there was no deceiving her.

At first she merely smiled to herself.

Then she scolded him sharply.
"Goodness, man, don't be so lachrymose." That wounded him slightly, but still he continued to feign sickness.
"I wouldn't be such a mardy baby," said the wife shortly.
Then he was indignant, and cursed under his breath, like a boy.

He was forced to resume a normal tone, and to cease to whine.
Nevertheless, there was a state of peace in the house for some time.
Mrs.Morel was more tolerant of him, and he, depending on her almost like a child, was rather happy.