The dowager
opposed this with all her might, but "her usefulness was gone," and
her feeble remonstrances were of little or no avail. This slight sank
deep into her heart, and she waited, calmly and patiently, for an
opportunity of retaliating on her daughter-in-law.
In due time the opportunity presented itself. Mrs. Wilkie was in the
habit of going to the skating-rink accompanied by some of her
fashionable acquaintances; her husband did not care for skating, but
was proud to hear his wife's graceful performances eulogized. The
dowager, however, had no heart for "the grape-vine" and other foolish
devices; she thought it high time for her daughter-in-law to take on
herself the serious duties of matrimonial life, and deprecated the
fondness of the lady in question for rinks, balls, and festivities.
One night Mrs. Wilkie was invited to a skating-party. Her husband,
having some letters to write, declined to go, and she went in
company with a Mr. Smithers, an old acquaintance of hers, and one of
the finest fancy skaters in Toronto. During her daughter-in-law's
absence at the rink, Mrs. Wilkie the elder took upon herself to
lecture her son on his wife's giddy behaviour, and so worked upon his
feelings that he regularly gave way, and allowed his mother to
remain mistress of the position.
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