She would not ask him to stay at home , but felt injured because he did not know that she wanted him without being told , entirely forgetting the many evenings he had waited for her in vain . She was nervous and worn out with watching and worry , and in that unreasonable frame of mind which the best of mothers occasionally experience when domestic cares oppress them . Want of exercise robs them of cheerfulness , and too much devotion to that idol of American women , the teapot , makes them feel as if they were all nerve and no muscle . `` Yes , '' she would say , looking in the glass , `` I 'm getting old and ugly . John does n't find me interesting any longer , so he leaves his faded wife and goes to see his pretty neighbor , who has no incumbrances . Well , the babies love me , they do n't care if I am thin and pale and have n't time to crimp my hair , they are my comfort , and some day John will see what I 've gladly sacrificed for them , wo n't he , my precious ? '' To which pathetic appeal Daisy would answer with a coo , or Demi with a crow , and Meg would put by her lamentations for a maternal revel , which soothed her solitude for the time being . But the pain increased as politics absorbed John , who was always running over to discuss interesting points with Scott , quite unconscious that Meg missed him . Not a word did she say , however , till her mother found her in tears one day , and insisted on knowing what the matter was , for Meg 's drooping spirits had not escaped her observation . `` I would n't tell anyone except you , Mother , but I really do need advice , for if John goes on much longer I might as well be widowed , '' replied Mrs. Brooke , drying her tears on Daisy 's bib with an injured air . `` Goes on how , my dear ? '' asked her mother anxiously . `` He 's away all day , and at night when I want to see him , he is continually going over to the Scotts ' . It is n't fair that I should have the hardest work , and never any amusement . Men are very selfish , even the best of them . '' `` So are women . Do n't blame John till you see where you are wrong yourself . '' `` But it ca n't be right for him to neglect me . '' `` Do n't you neglect him ? '' `` Why , Mother , I thought you 'd take my part ! ''
`` So I do , as far as sympathizing goes , but I think the fault is yours , XXXXX . ''
Demi John Meg Mother coo day incumbrances night right teapot