More than a month had passed since Irene’s wedding when I finally saw her. She wasn’t looking happy. I sat her down, made a nice cup of tea and waited. She said nothing, then it all came out. After they returned from their honeymoon, they went to live at Henry’s parents place. I was right, Father was a martinet and mother a necessary appendage. Henry’s brothers and sisters did not leave them alone, allow them any privacy. Henry’s father was horrified Irene would refuse to resign her position and tend to the family home.
Irene’s logic, presented at the time, was that if she did not continue to work, they would not be able to purchase a home of their own. This did nothing to pacify the father-in-law. He wanted a scullery maid, Irene said, a house keeper. This was the only reasons, she suspects, that he allowed Henry to marry her and he made life more difficult for her than was needed. Having seen some families like this, I can sympathize with Irene. and in the course of our discussion, I found myself suggesting she talk to her mother, perhaps their moving in with her would ease a lot of that tension.