If you find this difficult, begin by making up your mind that, during
the next week, you will not, under any circumstances whatever, speak a
cross word to her. Carry out this resolution as well as you can. Then
the next week takes off the strain. The natural tendency of cross words
to misery will so startle you that you will soon try it for another
week. You will do better on the second trial. This is important for your
own peace of mind, for, in scolding and fretting, the average woman, if
you get her started, can easily hold her own. This woman is bound to you
by stronger ties than you suppose.