This was followed by a repeated long enumeration of all the merits and perfections of Tolik, and then – the features of his daily routine, sleep, nutrition and other things. Then – how Tatyana Dmitrievna sees his future. Three children – no more. His health won’t allow him anymore (Nadya didn’t understand what exactly his health has to do with it, because the father’s physiological contribution to the unborn child is minimal compared to bearing and feeding the mother, but she was embarrassed to clarify). Further, all child care concerns: feeding, bathing, rocking, and so on – should fall on the mother, and the father’s responsibility is only the financial support of the family. This is why a wife should not work: she does the whole house, cleaning, cooking, and caring for her husband. Tolika is also not in good health for physical work around the house. Working with his hands is not his thing at all, and at home he should only rest.
At the beginning of this lengthy speech, which flowed from Tatyana Dmitrievna’s lips so violently and continuously that it was impossible to insert a word or an exclamation, Nadya was upset. What kind of concentration camp is this for the purpose of oppressing a wife? In her opinion, there was no smell of love here – only cooperation, and it is unknown whether it was mutually beneficial. Nadya’s mom and dad always helped each other, and how else could they manage everything in a large family? But gradually she relaxed, deciding that Tatyana Dmitrievna simply wants happiness for her son and is trying to achieve it in a way known to her. What will happen between Nadya and Tolik in family life, they will decide for themselves when they are finally left alone. Therefore, Nadya only nodded to her potential mother-in-law with a smile, and in the end she even allowed herself a humorous question:
– Who will repair sockets, plumbing and furniture? Is it really a wife too?
Tatyana Dmitrievna pursed her lips displeasedly and squinted:
“I think my son will soon earn enough to hand over the stupid dirty work to the appropriate people.”
At the station they boarded a bus, and Nadya had to once again endure the cold of a March evening, and then the inconvenience of rocking on heels in a dense crowd of tired and not very friendly people.