Describes a talk with John Whytal about his difficult marriage to Lotty. When she [Charlotte Kidder Whytal] came back yesterday, you ?d have thought she could have eaten me, ? (a favourite phrase this of his [John Whytal ?s].) ?ǣShe had been so dull away from me. ? And then there was a furious quarrel that night, about her not seeing that the child [Frederick Whytal] was properly cared for. ?ǣShe ?ll sit in the parlor, sing songs for the boarders and gentlemen visitors, and the child hasnt any fixings to his back. ? He being really very fond of his child, gets irate and reviles her. She repli
Describes a talk with John Whytal about his difficult marriage to Lotty. When she [Charlotte Kidder Whytal] came back yesterday, you ?d have thought she could have eaten me, ? (a favourite phrase this of his [John Whytal ?s].) ?ǣShe had been so dull away from me. ? And then there was a furious quarrel that night, about her not seeing that the child [Frederick Whytal] was properly cared for. ?ǣShe ?ll sit in the parlor, sing songs for the boarders and gentlemen visitors, and the child hasnt any fixings to his back. ? He being really very fond of his child, gets irate and reviles her. She replies, telling him she degraded herself in wedding him, crys, seeks counsel of her mother [Rebecca Kidder] or others. ?ǣShe has a row with her mother, and then comes to me, and quarrels with me, and goes to her mother! That ?s how she does it-?! ? sa quote poor Whytal. ?ǣIt ?s very wearisome! At all the houses we ?ve boarded at she had snarls with the women. When I came home she ?d a long story to tell, how she ?d been abused by them. And then her imprudence would set all the men talking. ? Fellows betted about her dishonor once, and Whytal afterwards heard of it. She will threaten to leave him. ?ǣYou may go if you like! ? he ?ll say. ?ǣAnd if I take the child with me ?ǣI ?d cut your damned head off! ? Then she says ?ǣTwo can play at that game! ? Whytal, a common-place, spitting, good sort of mortal is fond of her, is really more tolerant of her self-will than might be expected. Right is on his side, after all. [words crossed out] He married her in single heartedness; did not she rush into extremes she might do as she [likes?]. But had he any elevated passion for her, (which he isn ?t capable of) ?twould fall in stony places, and never bring forth fruit, I doubt. Title: Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries: Volume 6, page 38, August 3, 1853 . 3 August 1853. Gunn, Thomas Butler, 1826-1903
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