But to ridicule he was aware that he was pervious. Suppose the papers were to say of him that he built a new conservatory and made an archery ground for the sake of maintaining the Coalition! When he got back to the house he found his wife alone in the small room in which they intended to dine. After all her labours she was now reclining for the few minutes her husband's absence might allow her, knowing that after dinner there were a score of letters for her to write. "I don't think," said she, "I was ever so tired in my life." "It isn't such a very long journey after all." "But it's a very big house, and I've been, I think, into every room since I have been here, and I've moved most of the furniture in the drawing-rooms with my own hand, and I've counted the pounds of butter, and inspected the sheets and tablecloths." "Was that necessary, Glencora?" "If I had gone to bed instead, the world, I suppose, would have gone on, and Sir Orlando Drought would still have led the House of Commons;--but things should be looked after, I suppose." "There are people to do it. You are like Martha, troubling yourself with many things." "I always felt that Martha was very ill-used. If there were no Marthas there would never be anything fit to eat. But it's odd how sure a wife is to be scolded. If I did nothing at all, that wouldn't please a busy, hard-working man like you." "I don't know that I have scolded,--not as yet." "Are you going to begin?" "Not to scold, my dear. Looking back, can you remember that I ever scolded you?" "I can remember a great many times when you ought." "But to tell you the truth, I don't like all that you have done here. I cannot see that it was necessary." "People make changes in their gardens without necessity sometimes." "But these changes are made because of your guests. Had they been made to gratify your own taste I would have said nothing,--although even in that case I think you might have told me what you proposed to do." "What;--when you are so burdened with work that you do not know how to turn?" "I am never so burdened that I cannot turn to you. But, as you know, that is not what I complain of. If it were done for yourself, though it were the wildest vagary, I would learn to like it. But it distresses me to think that what might have been good enough for our friends before should be thought to be insufficient because of the office I hold. There is a--a--a--I was almost going to say vulgarity about it which distresses me." "Vulgarity!" she exclaimed, jumping up from her sofa. "I retract the word. I would not for the world say anything that should annoy you;--but pray, pray do not go on with it." Then again he left her.