THE SUBURB WIFE
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—God knows there are enough people in this England of Ours who evoke our sympathy, but the claims of the " suburb wife " as set forth by Mr. Francis Gower leave at least one of his readers cold.
There may be nothing inspiring or broadening to the mind in making beds, darning socks, or planning meals as Mr. Gower suggests, but if it be so, is there any work in life that has no drudgery in it ? After all, isn't it the spirit that inspires work that is the important thing, and that spirit, as George Herbert put it, can even make " drudgery divine " ?
The young married woman of today is the last person to pity. Pride in possession of a home of her own, and joy in making the man she has married comfortable, still inspire even an educated girl in doing happily the tasks that fall to her. Her leisure, which is probably less than Mr. Gower suggests, gives her an opportunity for social intercourse, for fresh air and exercise, and for reading, and her time is her own, which in itself is a delightful experience to a girl who has not been free. If her secondary school education has inspired her with a desire for more knowledge, a free library is at her command, and there are art galleries and museums so that her taste in any direction may be satisfied.
These advantages, with the interest and instruction pro- vided by the B.B.C., leave, it seems to me, little to be desired for her. The woman who has all her " cramping " duties done for her, and who, however broad her mind, does not justify her existence even to the extent of making a bed, seems to me a more fallow field even though she be an expert at making trumps.—Yours truly,
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