Pontellier, fuming anew at the recollection. Don't bother her, and don't let her bother you. Woman, my dear friend, is a very peculiar and delicate organism — a sensitive and highly organized woman, such as I know Mrs. Pontellier to be, is especially peculiar. It would require an inspired psychologist to deal successfully with them. And when ordinary fellows like you and me attempt to cope with their idiosyncrasies the result is bungling. Most women are moody and whimsical. This is some passing whim of your wife, due to some cause or causes which you and I needn't try to fathom.
But it will pass happily over, especially if you let her alone. Send her around to see me. I couldn't do that; there'd be no reason for it," objected Mr. Say Thursday. Will you come Thursday? My wife may possibly have some engagement for me Thursday. In case she has, I shall let you know. Otherwise, you may expect me. I have a big scheme on hand, and want to be on the field proper to pull the ropes and handle the ribbons.
We'll let you in on the inside if you say so, Doctor," he laughed. Pontellier, with his hand on the knob; "I may have to be absent a good while. Would you advise me to take Edna along? If not, leave her here. Don't contradict her. The mood will pass, I assure you. It may take a month, two, three months — possibly longer, but it will pass; have patience. The Doctor would have liked during the course of conversation to ask, "Is there any man in the case?
He did not resume his book immediately, but sat for a while meditatively looking out into the garden. Despite their differences, Madame Ratignolle enjoys Edna's company. Cite this Literature Note. Sign In. Sign Up. CliffsNotes HMHco. Shakespeare Central 2. Teacher Resources 3. Shakespeare Manga 4. Edna relishes her time with the boys and leaves them with a great regret, which disappears by the time she reaches New Orleans where she feels once again freed by the solitude and simplicity of her new life.
He is not concerned with Edna's feelings, the emotional causes of her move, but implores her "to consider first, foremost, and above all else, what people would say. Instead he acts quickly and decisively to stage an alibi for Edna's inexplicable action, arranging long-distance a renovation of the house. Chopin employs a rarely used and well-placed exclamation point to convey his relief at effectively remedying the situation and to indicate his main priority : "Mr.
Pontellier had saved appearances! Significantly, she chooses this point in time to spend a week with her children at their grandmother's. She had told Madame Ratignolle in Chapter 16 that "I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself. In the yard, which was kept scrupulously neat, were flowers and plants of every description which flourishes in South Louisiana. Within doors the appointments were perfect after the conventional type. The softest carpets and rugs covered the floors; rich and tasteful draperies hung at doors and windows.
There were paintings, selected with judgment and discrimination, upon the walls. The cut glass, the silver, the heavy damask which daily appeared upon the table were the envy of many women whose husbands were less generous than Mr.
Pontellier was very fond of walking about his house examining its various appointments and details, to see that nothing was amiss. A light-colored mulatto boy, in dress coat and bearing a diminutive silver tray for the reception of cards, admitted them. A maid, in white fluted cap, offered the callers liqueur, coffee, or chocolate, as they might desire. Pontellier, attired in a handsome reception gown, remained in the drawing-room the entire afternoon receiving her visitors.
Men sometimes called in the evening with their wives. This had been the programme which Mrs. Pontellier had religiously followed since her marriage, six years before. Certain evenings during the week she and her husband attended the opera or sometimes the play. He and his wife seated themselves at table one Tuesday evening, a few weeks after their return from Grand Isle.
They were alone together. The boys were being put to bed; the patter of their bare, escaping feet could be heard occasionally, as well as the pursuing voice of the quadroon, lifted in mild protest and entreaty. Pontellier did not wear her usual Tuesday reception gown; she was in ordinary house dress.
Pontellier, who was observant about such things, noticed it, as he served the soup and handed it to the boy in waiting. Whom did you have? Many callers? What did you have to do? If you felt that you had to leave home this afternoon, you should have left some suitable explanation for your absence.
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