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Question 9. Wherefore is it that they that have wives
at home, if they be returning out of the country or from any
remote parts, do send a messenger before, to acquaint them
that they be at hand?
Solution. Is not this an argument that a man believes
his wife to be no idle gossip, whereas to come upon her
suddenly and unexpectedly has a show as though he came
hastily to catch her and observe her behavior? Or do they
send the good tidings of their coming beforehand, as to
them that are desirous of them and expect them? Or rather
is it that they desire to enquire concerning their wives
whether they are in health, and that they may find them at
home looking for them? Or because, when the husbands
are wanting, the women have more family concerns and
business upon their hands, and there are more dissensions
and hurly-burly among those that are within doors; therefore, that the wife may free herself from these things and
give a calm and pleasant reception to her husband, she hath
forewarning of his coming?
Plutarch. Plutarch's Morals. Translated from the Greek by several hands. Corrected and revised by. William W. Goodwin, PH. D. Boston. Little, Brown, and Company. Cambridge. Press Of John Wilson and son. 1874. 2.
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