Page:The Truth about Marriage.djvu/79

 I once knew a boy whose mother had not had an ideal marriage in some respects. Her husband was a man of splendid character and had great respect for her character and virtues, but he was not at all demonstrative. In fact he had come of a long line of ancestors that taught men folks that they were not to make any show of affection. They were thus austere in their bearing, although not at all unkind. The boy's mother was probably starved for the show of affection. Not being able to receive from her husband the demonstrations that most women love, she saw to it that her boy should understand their importance.

So she told her little boy about some distant relatives whose example was a very unusual one but very pleasing to the womenfolks. The husband and wife had no children, much to their sorrow; but the husband made up for their mutual loss by the most remarkable gallantry and kindness and consideration. He treated his wife always as if she were a sweetheart. He helped her to dress, to take care of her household so far as help could be given by a busy man, to do the thousand and one thoughtful things that a loving husband can do for a beloved wife.

They were ideally happy. The boy's mother told him of the many courtesies shown the wife by this model husband, and said,