. This woman really cared about clothes,
admired them, but had got it into her head early in life that it was
sinful to be vain about one's looks. Though she had discarded the sin
idea the notion lingered in the form of "unworthy of a sensible woman",
"extravagance", etc. As she was painfully self-conscious in the presence
of others as a result, this was a hidden reason for sticking to her
home.

This woman had a really fine intelligence, wanted to be well and made a
gallant effort to change her attitude. In this she succeeded, became as
she put it more "careless of her things and more careful of her people."
Of course one cannot expect her ever to be anything but a fine
housekeeper but she manages to be comfortable and has conquered an
over-zealous conscience.

CHAPTER XI

OTHER TYPICAL CASES

Case VII. The ambitious woman discontented with her husband's ability.

In the American marriage relationship the woman makes the home and the
man makes the fortune. In some countries the wife is an active business
partner. This is notably true in France, among the Jews in Russia, and
many immigrant races in the United States. The wife may even take the
leadership if her superiority clearly shows up. Perhaps the American
method works well enough in a majority of cases, but there are superior
women yoked to inferior men who finally despair of their husband's
advancement, and who, as the phrase goes, ought to be "wearing the
trousers" themselves.

Mrs. D.J., thirty-nine years old, married fourteen years, two children,
had excellent health before marriage. Her family, originally poor, had
been characterized by great success. Her brothers occupy important
places in the business world and are wealthy. One of her sisters is
married to a man who is successful in law, and the other sister is an
executive in a department store.

Before marriage Mrs. J. was in her brother's business, and at the time
of her marriage earned a comfortable salary. She married a man who
inherited a small business, and when they married she was enthusiastic
over the prospects of this business. But unfortunately her husband never
followed her plans; he listened impatiently and went ahead in his own
way. As a result of his conservatism they had not advanced at all
financially. Though they were not poor as compared with the mass of
people, they were poor as compared with her brothers and brother-in-law.

In addition to the exasperation over her hu