“My dear Menelaus,” said Helen, “Hermione knows perfectly well that you and I have not been happy together; it only remains to explain why not. Did you think it would be good taste for me to pretend we were happy, after leaving you for so many years, and being brought back by force? Wasn’t it reasonable to suppose that Hermione, who inherits your subtle mind, would suspect there was some unpleasantness between us? There are times, I should think, when even you, Menelaus, would prefer to face life as it is.”

“There are times, Helen,” said Menelaus. “Do you know, I think this is one of them! You’ve expressed your admiration for high-handed husbands once too often. Now I’ve an idea I’d like to play that part. What we agreed on about Pyrrhus, I’ll abide by; when he comes, I’ll entertain him; there’ll be nothing said about matrimony. When he goes, Hermione will marry Orestes. And I’ll listen to no more argument on the subject.”

“Good!” said Helen. “That is practically what I wanted. My idea was to give Hermione the liberty to choose her husband, after she had seen Pyrrhus, but I dare say she’ll want to marry Orestes anyway, so your command will do no harm. If by a miracle she changes her mind and wants Pyrrhus, I understand that you will make her take Orestes anyway. Very well. Of course, that’s being a high-handed parent, not a high-handed husband.”

“I assume that Hermione wishes to marry Orestes,” said Menelaus. “She understands I have no notion of compelling her to marry against her will.”

“Oh, there you go, Menelaus,” said Helen. “I knew you couldn’t keep it up, but I did think you could pretend to be ferocious for more than three seconds. Why don’t you put your foot down and say just who is to be our son-in-law? Tell Hermione to take him, tell him to take Hermione and no more words about it, and tell me to hold my tongue? Why don’t you?”