"God knows there's little enough of it left.

But I can't tell her that.

If I do she'll sell everything, hand me the cash and tell me she's sorry to be such a burden.
She'll sit like a thundercloud in my house." No, he could say nothing to stop her.

And over the top of his paper her father shot a look at her of keen exasperation.

Why risk everything she had to get these needless frills and fads?
Why must she cram her life so full of petty plans and worries and titty-tatty little jobs?
For the Lord's sake, leave their clothes alone! And why these careful little rules for every minute of their day, for their washing, their dressing, their eating, their napping, their play and the very air they breathed! He crumpled his paper impatiently.