LECTURE XXXV--MRS. CAUDLE "HAS BEEN TOLD" THAT CAUDLE HAS "TAKEN TO
PLAY" AT BILLIARDS



"Ah, you're very late to-night, dear.

"IT'S NOT LATE?

"Well, then, it isn't, that's all. Of course, a woman can never tell
when it's late. You were late on Tuesday, too; a little late on the
Friday before; on the Wednesday before that--now, you needn't twist
about in that manner; I'm not going to say anything--no; for I see
it's now no use. Once, I own, it used to fret me when you stayed
out; but that's all over: you've now brought me to that state,
Caudle--and it's your own fault entirely--that I don't care whether
you ever come home or not. I never thought I could be brought to
think so little of you; but you've done it: you've been treading on
the worm for these twenty years, and it's turned at last.

"Now, I'm not going to quarrel; that's all over: I don't feel enough
for you to quarrel with,--I don't, Caudle, as true as I'm in this
bed. All I want of you is--any other man would speak to his wife,
and not lie there like a log--all I want is this. Just tell me where
you were on Tuesday? You were not at dear mother's, though you know
she's not well, and you know she thinks of leaving the dear children
her money; but you never had any feeling for anybody belonging to me.
And you were not at your Club: no, I know that. And you were not at
any theatre.