Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Part III - II
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184 THE CONFESSION OF A FOOL
plans for the future, she spent three hours with her
friend in the kitchen ; the maid made up a blazing fire ;
the whole place was turned upside down—and why?
Because Saturday was the monster’s tub-day.
"Don’t you think you are treating me heartlessly,
cruelly?"
"How dare you call her heartless?" exclaimed the
friend. "A gentler soul never breathed. Why, she
doesn’t even shrink from sacrificing her own and her
husband’s happiness to a poor forsaken animal!
"
Some little time after I sat down to a dinner which was
below criticism.
For some time past the food which was sent in daily
from a neighbouring restaurant had been steadily
deteriorating, but my beloved wife, with her irresistible
sweetness, had made me believe that I had grown more
fastidious. And I had not doubted her word, for I
always took her at her own valuation and looked upon
her as the soul of truth and candour.
The fatal dinner was served. There was nothing on
the dish but bones and sinews.
"What is this you are putting before me? " I asked
the maid.
"I am sorry, sir," she replied, "but I had orders to
reserve the best pieces for the dog."
Beware of the woman who has been found out ! Her
wrath will fall on your head with fourfold strength.
She sat as if struck by lightning, unmasked, shown up
as a liar, a cheat even, for she had always insisted that
she was paying for the dog’s food out of her own pocket.
Her pallor and silence made me feel sorry for her. I
blushed for her, and hating to see her humiliated, I
behaved like a generous conqueror, and tried to console
her. I playfully patted her cheek and told her not to
mind.
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