IssueThe wife’s concernThe husband’s replyProfessionA trade that supports the householdLiterature and composition are trades tooCapitalA reliable source of incomeSkill in shaping meaningful wordsBelongingsHer household goods were soldHunger and debt forced him; he claims no oversteppingTruthfulnessThe original promises must be examinedHe denies deceit or lying
Neither account becomes automatically true by virtue of its eloquence. The nature of a profession, actual income, and the rights of others remain distinct questions.