Amy had but to reflect, and she understood that her
husband could in no wise help this shabbiness; when he parted
from her his wardrobe was already in a long-suffering condition,
and how was he to have purchased new garments since then? None
the less such attire degraded him in her eyes; it symbolised the
melancholy decline which he had suffered intellectually. On
Reardon his wife's elegance had the same repellent effect, though
this would not have been the case but for the expression of her
countenance. Had it been possible for them to remain together
during the first five minutes without exchange of words,
sympathies might have prevailed on both sides; the first speech
uttered would most likely have harmonised with their gentler
thoughts. But the mischief was done so speedily.
A man must indeed be graciously endowed if his personal
appearance can defy the disadvantage of cheap modern clothing
worn into shapelessness. Reardon had no such remarkable physique,
and it was not wonderful that his wife felt ashamed of him.
Strictly ashamed; he seemed to her a social inferior; the
impression was so strong that it resisted all memory of his
spiritual qualities.
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