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           Inshort,theywerewhatisknownas“averyhappycouple.”Yetitmayberemarkedthatahouseholdrequiresotherpursuitstobeengagedinthanlengthyembracingsandthepreparingofcunning“surprises.”Yes,manyafunctioncallsforfulfilment.Forinstance,whyshoulditbethoughtfoolishorlowtosuperintendthekitchen?Whyshouldcarenotbetakenthatthestoreroomneverlackssupplies?Whyshouldahousekeeperbeallowedtothieve?Whyshouldslovenlyanddrunkenservantsexist?Whyshouldadomesticstaffbesufferedinindulgeinboutsofunconscionabledebaucheryduringitsleisuretime?YetnoneofthesethingswerethoughtworthyofconsiderationbyManilov’swife,forshehadbeengentlybroughtup,andgentlenurture,asweallknow,istobeacquiredonlyinboardingschools,andboardingschools,asweknow,holdthethreeprincipalsubjectswhichconstitutethebasisofhumanvirtuetobetheFrenchlanguage(athingindispensabletothehappinessofmarriedlife),piano-playing(athingwherewithtobeguileahusband’sleisuremoments),andthatparticulardepartmentofhousewiferywhichiscomprisedintheknittingofpursesandother“surprises.”Neverthelesschangesandimprovementshavebeguntotakeplace,sincethingsnowaregovernedmorebythepersonalinclinationsandidiosyncraciesofthekeepersofsuchestablishments.