‘I notice that it is always after you have had a substantial meal that you discuss economy in food. I wonder if you will feel the same when you come back starving from the City to-morrow? Now, sir, any other economy?’ ‘I don’t think money causes happiness. But debt causes unhappiness. And so we must cut down every expense until we have a reserve fund to meet any unexpected call. If you see any way in which I could save, or any money I spend which you think is unjustifiable, I do wish that you would tell me. I got into careless ways in my bachelor days.’ ‘That red golfing-coat.’ ‘I know. It was idiotic of me.’ ‘Never mind, dear. You look very nice in it. After all, it was only thirty shillings. Can you show me any extravagance of mine?’ ‘Well, dear, I looked at that dressmaker’s bill yesterday.’ ‘O Frank, it is such a pretty dress, and you said you liked it, and you have to pay for a good cut, and you said yourself that a wife must not become dowdy after marriage, and it would have cost double as much in Regent Street.’ ‘I didn’t think the dress dear.’ ‘What was it, then?’ ‘The silk lining of the skirt.’ ‘You funny boy!’ ‘It cost thirty shillings extra. Now, what can it matter if it is lined with silk or not?’ ‘Oh, doesn’t it? Just you try one and see.’ ‘But no one can know that it is lined with silk.’ ‘When I rustle into a room, dear, every woman in it knows that my skirt is lined with silk.’ Frank felt that he had ventured out of his depth, so he struck out for land again. ‘There’s only one economy which I don’t think is justifiable,’ said he, ‘and that is, to cut down your subscriptions to charities. It is such a very cheap way of doing things. Not that I do much in that line—too little, perhaps. But to say that because _we_ want to economise, therefore some poor people are to suffer, is a very poor argument. We must save at our own expense.’ So now Frank, in his methodical fashion, had all his results tabulated upon his sheet of foolscap. It was not a very brilliant production, but it might serve as a chart for the little two-oared boats until a better one is forthcoming. It ran in this way— _Maxims for the Married_ 1. Since you are married, you may as well make the best of it. 2. So make some maxims and try to live up to them. 3. And don’t be discouraged if you fail. You will fail, but perhaps you won’t always fail. 4. Never both be cross at the same time. Wait your turn. 5. Never cease to be lovers. If you cease, some one else may begin. 6. You were gentleman and lady before you were husband and wife. Don’t forget it. 7. Keep yourself at your best. It is a compliment to your partner. 8. Keep your ideal high. You may miss it, but it is better to miss a high one than to hit a low one. 9. A blind love is a foolish love. Encourage the best in each other’s nature.