such-and-such a line of business...
And she began explaining my hobby of photography, and how my pictures deserved to be exhibited...
But all these are small matters that ought not to be minded; the heart of the question is not easily understood...
The heart of the question is that I would have liked, when I arrived home in the evening, to find a wife who shows me the iron's broken cord for me to mend for her; or who sighs because I have stayed away too long, so that I appease her and draw from my pocket two tickets to a play, or a receipt for an installment from the fur shop on a fur she loves.
When I come back from my work, my wife is still at her office. If the iron's cord breaks, she mends it, or pays someone to
mend it. And what could I possibly offer her? She has bought a fur of beautiful astrakhan, and a wristwatch, and paid the price herself.
We had decided, at the start of our married life, to divide the expenses thus: I pay for what the house cannot do without, and she pays the expenses of the luxuries. At first the arrangement seemed reasonable to me — but, oh my God! A husband must be able to feel pleased with himself and offer his little wife some of the fripperies she loves! I understood quickly that I would never give her anything, because she buys everything — and nothing would be left for me but to insure my life and present her with the receipt, signed by one of the insurance companies...
And there is one kind of pleasure forbidden to the husbands of women who are superior in business.
It is complaining to their wives in hours of hardship. It has occurred
to me many times, over lunch, to recount my difficulties to her; and I would wait for a cry of sympathy from her, or a few sweet, soothing words. But that lies outside the range of her nature! “I have been through a thousand and one problems and overcome them, by applying invincible principles!”
And ah, if it were granted me to marry a second time, I would marry a woman who is good at nothing but making chocolate cakes.
But — a thousand sighs! Even in that case she would triumph. I forgot to say that this woman who is superior in business, and who is my wife, is at the same time a cook of the first order, counted among the wearers of the blue ribbon.
Salma Sayegh From the French selections
The Famous C.B Threads
The famous threads
For sewing and ladies' handwork
C.B brand
“Cross” spools and “Key” tubes
THIRIEZ & CARTIER-BRESSON