the reason why, in so many days that he had lived with her, he had not demonstrated that he was a man, and performed the duties that a husband should.
When the day came, the parties presented themselves at the proper time and place, and they were called upon to state their case. The mother of the bride began to plead her daughter's cause, and God knoweth the laws concerning marriage which she quoted, none of which, she maintained, had her son-in-law fulfilled; therefore she demand that he should be divorced from her daughter forthwith without more ado.
The young man was much astonished to find himself thus attacked, but lost no time in replying to the allegations of his adversary, quietly stating his case, and relating in what wise his wife had always refused him leave to perform his marital duties.
The mother, when she heard this reply, was more wroth than ever, and could scarce bring herself to believe it; and she asked her daughter if that was true which her husband had said.
"Yea, truly, mother," replied the girl.
"Oh, wretched child," said her mother. "Wherefore didst thou refuse? Did I not teach thee thy lesson many times?"
The poor girl might not answer, so shamed was she.
"At any rate," said the mother, "I must know the reason why thou hast refused. Tell it me forthwith, lest I grow exceeding wroth."
The girl was forced to confess that she had not dared to present her shield lest he killed her; and so she still felt, nor was she reassured on that point, albeit her mother had bade her be without
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