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Harry Swenson is a patient man-or so it seems. His blood pressure indicates he is more restrained than patient. Living with Shirley is one cause of his difficulty, for Shirley is a master of conversational finesse and timing, particularly in the art of “cross complaining.”
For example, when Harry brings up what he believes is a reasonable complaint, such as, “Dear, can’t we ever have lamb any more?” Shirley quickly replies with something like this:
“Harry, you can’t keep nagging me about the money I spend and then tell me to buy lamb at today’s prices. You are terribly inconsistent.” (Shirley knows perfectly well that Harry actually only brings up the question of spending money when she buys expensive clothes impetuously and without having budgeted for them.) If Harry begins to complain about Shirley’s arranging a bridge party on Sunday afternoon, she says something like, ‘What’s the matter, Harry? Don’t you want the girls to see how sloppy you are on weekends?”
So Harry retracts and the subject is changed.
