Page:The Truth about Marriage.djvu/143

 side of the case; and the wife should listen to the man's reasons for any given action.

But there should be infinite consideration and the spirit of co-operation on both sides. It is easy to be arbitrary, if one can get away with it.

It may be the case that the woman's will rules and the husband subsides into subjection, but he does not love the woman who rules him.

It may be that the wife subsides before the man's arrogance and violence, but she does not necessarily respect the man.

It is not worth while to have one's arbitrary way and lose the other's love and respect. Some victories are merely victories of force, of superior physical or mental strength.

Marriage is a partnership; and the partners in marriage have each his or her voice in the life of the household, not properly a noisy and strident voice, but the voice of love. Love should be the head of the house, not individuals.