Whats that ruff youre wearing? Trying to tempt someone with that tatty thing? Have you no shame? Not only is your dress cheap, your head seems empty as well. Vacuity and vulgarity, Arthur Bennett snarled, rose from his seat and swept out of the drawingroom. Eleanor Whitby was left alone among the guests, who had just taken note of her in the new frock.
In that instant Eleanor wished the floor would swallow her whole. The gown that moments before had seemed a triumph now pressed on her like iron shackles, making her feel an unbearable discomfort. She wanted to fling it off and hurl it far away.
The guests, embarrassed and uneasy, began inventing excuses to depart, and one by one they slipped out, leaving Eleanor in a strained silence.
Arthurs behaviour was, to him, nothing out of the ordinary. When Eleanor roamed the house in plain blouses and without makeup, he treated her with a polite indifference, sometimes even a gentle smile. Yet the moment she chose something that highlighted her figure, his tone shifted dramatically; his insults became public spectacles designed to humiliate her before the assembled company.
Whats this miniskirt? Such things belong to those with proper legs, not your crooked puddingfeet. Youve grown accustomed to my tolerating this horror, but the rest of the world wont stand it! Change your clothes, for the sake of everyone else! he barked.
When Eleanor attempted a more fitted dress, his barbs grew sharper:
This is a sausageparade, isnt it? Your folds look as if someones wrapped them in a kitchen rag! Were all shocked, you can be proud youve attracted attention. But stop it, lest your meatslice silhouette haunts our friends in their dreams for years to come!
In such moments Arthur put on a show of humour, pretending his jibes were harmless jokes that ought not to offend. His laugh boomed through the room, and he expected the crowd to cheer his wit.
Eleanor first tried to reason with him. She selected outfits she believed would not provoke him, yet Arthur always found a snag. When the attire was unobtrusive, he turned his scorn to her makeup.
Look at those eyebrowsnone at all! Why colour them with a black felttip pen? And the lips? Gentlemen, have you seen this? Lips like dumplings! If thats beauty, I must be a chef from the north of Russia. He chuckled cruelly.
Every attempt Eleanor made to adjust herself for Arthurs sake invited even harsher criticism. He mocked her visits to the gym, dismissed trips to the beauty salon as a waste of pennies, and cursed each new piece she added to her wardrobe as an invitation to other men. Even a simple Tshirt, in his eyes, drew undue attention from the opposite sex.
Eleanor tried to convince herself that Arthur was simply jealous, unwilling to let her look fine lest other men notice her. Yet his sarcastic, demeaning remarks persisted even when she dressed nicely just for home. After a year of marriage the young wife realised their union was a true trial. Despite this, she still loved Arthur and feared breaking the family. Before the wedding he had been a different man, and Eleanor earnestly yearned to understand the change. Every effort to speak was met only with mockery and derision.
She had married while still a university student, in her final term at Oxford. After receiving her degree she intended to seek employment, but the first unsettling sign of Arthurs conduct appeared at once.
What work? Arthur snapped. I can see it now: youll only be parading dresses about the office, flirting with the bosses. No proper offices, understand? Youre a wife, so stay at home. Your duties: keep the house spotless, have a pantry stocked for several days. First, second, and dessertall must be ready! You only want a job to tire yourself out and then do nothing at home.
But Im only twentytwo! I dont want to be a housewife! I feel Ill waste away sitting around! Eleanor protested.
Dont worry, with your brains youll never go anywhere. Your head is empty, filled only with those foolish ideas and beauty parlours, Arthur retorted.
Why do you treat me so? Ive done nothing wrong. You were different before the wedding! she replied, voice trembling.
And how should I behave when youre like this? You disgrace both yourself and me. Think of whos at fault, if you can! he shot back with sarcasm.
What salons? You never give me money for them! she exclaimed.
Exactly! No point spending money on nonsense. You cant manage your own finances! he cut her off.
Thats why I want to work! To earn my own money.
What? Earn? If you ever do get a job, every penny will go straight into my pocket. Remember that forever. Theres no such thing as independence! Arthur snapped sharply.
The most dreadful thing for Eleanor was that she had no one with whom to share her woes. Her mother had endured a husband who treated her far worse than Arthur had ever treated Eleanor, even raising a hand against her. Because of that, Eleanor thought her own troubles were minor. The worst part was that Arthur never drank nor struckso the abuse seemed invisible.
She had no one to tell her that the absence of overt vices didnt make a man perfect. Friends, mostly single, envied her, assuming she had settled comfortably. They knew nothing of the reality, for Eleanor always tried to hide her pain.
One day, while staying home and binging period dramas, she observed young couples on screen. Those men cared for their wives, never degrading or ridiculing them, offering warmth, support, and love. Some characters resembled Arthur, but they were usually cast as villains.
Eventually, Eleanor gathered the courage to voice her thoughts about their marriage and his faults. As she spoke, Arthurs face darkened and anger flared.
Ah, so youve read those fairy tales about henpecked husbands and now think you can school me? All those TV nonsense has gotten into your head! he roared. No! I wont let you make a mockery of me or tarnish my reputation! From now on, no television, no internet, no ideals of yours. If youre bored, Ill summon my proper friends! Understand?
But I said nothing wrong, I only wanted to share my thoughts, Eleanor whispered, watching him yank the cables and switch off the router.
Will you keep dressing for a night shift, or parade about like youre at a cheap fair? No more! Ill mould you! Until you behave, youll stay at home! he raged.
That evening Eleanor felt genuine terror for the first time. She realised Arthur could act on his threats, and she decided not to wait. When night fell she packed her belongings and fled the house. An unexpected saviour appeared in the form of George Whitby, a friend of Arthurs who had long witnessed the unfair treatment and, upon learning of Eleanors plight, offered shelter and assistance.
In that moment Eleanor understood that a man cannot be changed. She no longer wanted to waste her prime years in a toxic marriage, living under constant fear.
The decision to separate came swiftly and easily. Even when Arthur called, hurling insults and mockery, Eleanor remained resolute. She would not let him manipulate or dictate her choices any longer.
After the divorce, Eleanors life began to turn. She secured a position in a London firm, built a career, and finally felt free.
Arthur soon found a new wifea young woman who seemed meek and insecure. Eleanor genuinely hoped that, one day, that woman would find the strength to leave him, for she knew men like Arthur rarely, if ever, change.