man was happy, you ought to be. No, Caudle, no; it isn't nonsense to
keep wedding-days; it isn't a deception on the world; and if it is,
how many people do it! I'm sure it's only a proper compliment that a
man owes to his wife. Look at the Winkles--don't they give a dinner
every year? Well, I know, and if they do fight a little in the
course of the twelvemonth, that's nothing to do with it. They keep
their wedding-day, and their acquaintance have nothing to do with
anything else.

"As I say, Caudle, it's only a proper compliment that a man owes to
his wife to keep his wedding-day. It's as much as to say to the
whole world--'There! if I had to marry again, my blessed wife's the
only woman I'd choose!' Well! I see nothing to groan at, Mr.
Caudle--no, nor to sigh at either; but I know what you mean: I'm
sure, what would have become of you if you hadn't married as you have
done--why, you'd have been a lost creature! I know it; I know your
habits, Caudle; and--I don't like to say it, but you'd have been
little better than a ragamuffin. Nice scrapes you'd have got into, I
know, if you hadn't had me for a wife. The trouble I've had to keep
you respectable--and what's my thanks? Ha! I only wish you'd had
some women!

"But we won't quarrel, Caudle. No; you don't mean anything, I know.
We'll have this little dinner, eh? Just a few friends? Now don't
say you don't care--that isn't the way to speak to a wife; and
especially the wife I've been to you, Caudle. Well, you agree to the
dinner, eh? Now, don't grunt, Mr. Caudle, but speak out. You'll
keep your wedding-day? What?

"IF I LET YOU GO TO SLEEP?