Twilight came stealing on; the rooks became more quiet; I became more weary, and wished I were going home to-morrow.

At length it grew dark; and I was thinking of ringing for a candle, and betaking myself to bed, when my hostess appeared, with many apologies for having neglected me so long, and 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 showed 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 of a wife.

It's the husband's part to please the wife, not hers to please him; and if he isn't satisfied with her as she is--and thankful to possess her too--he isn't worthy of her, that's all.

And as for persuasion, I assure you I shan't trouble myself with that: I've enough to do to bear with him as he is, without attempting to work a reform.