But if men will smoke, as they certainly will, because they are animal
and stubborn and self-indulgent and self-willed, let them at least
confine their fireworks to their own apartments. If a wife would rather
admit her fuliginous husband to her sitting-room than forego his
society altogether,--as undoubtedly most women would, for you see it is
not a question between a smoky husband and a clear husband, but between
a smoky one and none at all, because between his wife and his cigar the
man will almost invariably choose the cigar,--I have nothing to say.
But don't let a man go into other people's houses and smoke, or, above
all things, walk smoking by the side of women. No matter if she does
give you permission when you ask it. You should not have asked it. We
don't wish you to do it, you may be sure. It is a disrespectful thing.
It partakes of the nature of an insult. No matter how grand or learned
or distinguished you may be, don't do it. I saw once one of our
Cabinet Ministers walking, with his cigar in his mouth, by the side of
the wife of the British Minister, and it lowered them both in my
opinion, though I don't suppose either of them would take it much to
heart if they knew it. If you are walking in the woods or fields, it
may be pardonable; but in the public streets no private compact can be
of any avail. It is a public mark of disrespect. If you don't regard
us enough to throw away or keep away your cigar when you join us, just
don't join us. Keep your own side of the street. Nobody wants you; at
least I don't. Walk alone if you like, or with whomsoever you can, but
if you walk with me, you shall "behave yourself."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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