Page:The Art of Helping People Out of Trouble (1924).pdf/141

 social case worker replied. "If I did I wouldn't have asked you to come to my office and tell your story."

"Oh, what's the use of my talking," Reynolds retorted unconvinced. "My wife's been blackguarding me to you."

"Now, Mr. Reynolds, you know that I know too much about your situation to be influenced by anything that anybody might say to me, but I can only help you if you will lay your cards down on the table and be fair with me."

"Oh," he exclaimed. "I admit that I've been drinking. Any man would have if he'd been through what I've been through. You take a horse out and beat it and he will act ugly toward you. It's the same way with a human being. If she would only have a little faith in me and speak a kind word to me once in a while, I could go ahead and keep things decent."

"I know it's been hard for you," he was assured, "but your wife has a pretty hard time of it too. She's at home all day working. She scarcely sees anybody except the children and they're a good deal of a trial. Anybody would be nervous with five of them running in and out all day long."

"Yes, but she needn't criticize me to them.