Bertramwasashamedtoownit，eventohimself，buthewasfeelingjustalittleabusedthatsummer；andheknewthat，inhisheart，hewasactuallygettingjealousofhisownson，inspiteofhisadorationofthelittlefellow。Hetoldhimselfdefensivelythatitwasnottobeexpectedthatheshouldnotwanttheloveofhiswife，theattentionsofhiswife，andthecompanionshipofhiswife——apartofthetime。ItwasnothingmorethannaturalthatoccasionallyheshouldliketoseehershowsomeinterestinsubjectsnotmentionedinMothers’GuidesandScientificTrainingsofInfants；andhedidnotbelievehecouldbeblamedforwantinghisresidencetobeahomeforhimselfaswellasanurseryforhisoffspring。
Evenwhilehethusdiscontentedlyarguedwithhimself，however，BertramcalledhimselfaselfishbrutejusttothinksuchthingswhenhehadsodearandlovingawifeasBilly，andsofineandsplendidababyasBertram，Jr。Hetoldhimself，too，thatverylikelywhentheywerebackintheirownhouseagain，andwhenmotherhoodwasnotsonewtoher，Billywouldnotbesoabsorbedinthebaby。Shewouldreturntoheroldinterestinherhusband，hermusic，herfriends，andherownpersonalappearance。Meanwhiletherewasalways，ofcourse，forhim，hispainting。Sohewouldpaint，acceptinggladlywhatcrumbsofattentionfellfromthebaby’stable，andtrusttothefuturetomakeBillynonethelessamother，perhaps，butalittlemorethewife。
Justhowconfidentlyhewascountingonthiscomingchange，Bertramhardlyrealizedhimself；
butcertainlythefamilywasscarcelysettledattheStratabeforethehusbandgaylyproposedoneeveningthatheandBillyshouldgotothetheatertoseeRomeoandJuliet。’
Billywasclearlybothsurprisedandshocked。