In those matters where the characters of husband and wife are strong
enough to permit frankness, this should always be employed. In all the
grave problems of life there should be perfect confidence between the
pair who have taken the solemn vows of wedlock. Any third party that
enjoys a superior confidence with one of them, whether relative or
friend, even the pastor or family physician, is the man invoked against
in the marriage charge, who "puts them asunder." Where unhappily the
husband is irreligious and the wife is forced to seek confidential help
and consolation of her spiritual adviser, she should strictly limit
these to religious matters, else she will grow apart from her husband.
George Moore, in his collection of stories entitled, "The Untilled
Field," presents the propensity of women in Ireland to run to the priest
for guidance on every question, as the chief cause of their domestic
tragedies. In America the family physician is as apt as the pastor to be
made the recipient of such confidences, with evil results where he is
not wise enough to advise that the husband is the proper person to whom
the wife should go.




CHAPTER IV

THE HOUSE

Elements in Choice of a Home--The City Apartment--Furniture for a
Temporary Home--Couches--Rugs--Bookcases--The Suburban and Country
House--Economic Considerations--Buying an Old House--Building a New
One--Supervising the Building--The Woman's Wishes.