’You looked so solemn, Frank.  I thought you had been looking at the tradesman’s books.  What is it, dear?’

’Well, Maude, I have been thinking of married life in general.  Don’t you think it would be a good thing if we were to make some resolutions as to how it should be conducted—­some fundamental principles, as it were?’

‘Oh do, dear, do!  What fun it will be!’

‘But it’s serious, Maude.’

‘Yes, dear, I am quite serious.’

’It seemed to me, that if we could reduce it to certain rules, then, whatever came upon us in the future, we should always know exactly how to act.’

‘What are the rules, dear?’

’Well, we can only arrive at them by talking it over between ourselves.  I could not draw up a set of rules, and ask you to submit to them.  That is not my idea of a partnership.  But if we found that we were agreed upon certain points, then we could both adopt them by mutual consent.’

‘How charming, Frank!  Do please tell me some of the points.’

’I have a few in my mind, and I should like to hear any which you may have—­any ideas, you know, how to get the very highest and best out of our life.  Now, first of all, there is the subject of quarrelling.’

‘O Frank, how horrid!’

’Dear girl, we must look into the future.  We are going to live all our lives together.  We must foresee and prepare for all the chances of life.’

‘But that is absurd.’

‘You can’t live all your life and never be in a bad temper!’

‘But not with you, Frank.’

’Oh, I can be very aggravating sometimes.  Now, my idea is this.  Ill-humour passes and hurts nobody.  But if two people are ill-humoured, then each excites the other, and they say ever so much more than they mean.  Let us make a compact never both to be ill-humoured at the same time.  If you are cross, then it is your turn, and I stand clear.  If I am cross, you let me work it off.  When either hoists the danger-signal, the other is on guard.  What do you think of that?’

‘I think you are the funniest old boy—­’

‘Do you agree?’

‘Yes, dear, of course I agree.’

‘Article number one,’ said Frank, and scribbled upon his paper.

‘Your turn, now.’

‘No, dear, I have not thought of anything.’

’Well, then, here is another point.  Never take each other for granted.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

’Never relax those attentions which one lover shows to another.  Some husbands seem to forget that their wives are ladies.  Some wives speak to their husbands with less courtesy and consideration than to any casual male visitor.  They mean no harm, but they get into a slack way.  We must not do that.’

‘I don’t think we are likely to.’

’People get into it unconsciously.  Pull me up sharply at the first sign.’