"We lived at first in the country, then in the city, and, if the final misfortune had not happened, I should have lived thus until my old age and should then have believed that I had had a good life,--not too good, but, on the other hand, not bad,--an existence such as other people lead.

I should not have understood the abyss of misfortune and ignoble falsehood in which I floundered about, feeling that something was not right.

I felt, in the first place, that I, a man, who, according to my ideas, ought to be the master, wore the petticoats, and that I could not get rid of them.

The principal cause of my subjection was the children.
I should have liked to free myself, but I could not.

Bringing up the children, and resting upon them, my wife ruled.