I’d planned to share the conveniences without comment, but, knowing myself, I did question how long I would be able to resist adding some academic, textual, or theoretical analysis.
The answer: until today. So here I go.
This convenience uses the word wife, but I’ve always been taught that the word is not used in the human-conjugality sense. No one is necessarily married here.
In this context, the word wife comes from the Old English wif or wyf, and it means woman or lady.
Some convenience scholars do disagree with this interpretation, but it has proven to be the most historically accepted reading of the word.
It’s an interpretation I much prefer as it seems very inclusive; no woman is excluded, regardless of marital status or any other status. All are welcome.
Convenience 20
Good wife, in your house abide.
Whoever uses her work is found, inside and out, and the trouble generally ceases for the time.
Longevity is increased by keeping kind, inside and out.