Domestic Experiences

           Likemostotheryoungmatrons,Megbeganhermarriedlifewiththedeterminationtobeamodelhousekeeper.Johnshouldfindhomeaparadise,heshouldalwaysseeasmilingface,shouldfaresumptuouslyeveryday,andneverknowthelossofabutton.Shebroughtsomuchlove,energy,andcheerfulnesstotheworkthatshecouldnotbutsucceed,inspiteofsomeobstacles.Herparadisewasnotatranquilone,forthelittlewomanfussed,wasover-anxioustoplease,andbustledaboutlikeatrueMartha,cumberedwithmanycares.Shewastootired,sometimes,eventosmile,Johngrewdyspepticafteracourseofdaintydishesandungratefullydemandedplainfare.Asforbuttons,shesoonlearnedtowonderwheretheywent,toshakeherheadoverthecarelessnessofmen,andtothreatentomakehimsewthemonhimself,andseeifhisworkwouldstandimpatientandclumsyfingersanybetterthanhers.

           Theywereveryhappy,evenaftertheydiscoveredthattheycouldn’tliveonlovealone.JohndidnotfindMeg’sbeautydiminished,thoughshebeamedathimfrombehindthefamiliarcoffeepot.NordidMegmissanyoftheromancefromthedailyparting,whenherhusbandfolloweduphiskisswiththetenderinquiry,"ShallIsendsomevealormuttonfordinner,darling?"Thelittlehouseceasedtobeaglorifiedbower,butitbecameahome,andtheyoungcouplesoonfeltthatitwasachangeforthebetter.Atfirsttheyplayedkeep-house,andfrolickedoveritlikechildren.