Thomas Archer had rarely felt such discomfiture than he did this very morning.

He had never intended to encroach upon a private conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Dyer, let alone one that was so impassioned. Only a portion of the conversation had been overhead, but Mr. Archer was not so naive as to believe that it could be ignored. Therein lay the start of a serious discord and it troubled Thomas to see it. Furthermore, he surmised that the issue must have been consequential indeed to have cause such a flare in tempers on both sides. The spirited words had carried from the dining room into the hallway, halting Thomas in his steps briefly.

Thomas had paused to evaluated the noises within the dining room, as well as his own internal resolution. He did not want to bring shame to either party but intruding yet he could not ignore the possibility of entering as a mediator. Perhaps having an additional presence in the room would calm the couple and make them see reason. Should that not be the case, Thomas felt he could remind them of the imprudence in having such a heated conversation within earshot of the servants. Even a trusted household could be prone to discourteous chattering when given the opportunity.

This mental assessment had been done in only a fraction of a moment, however, as Thomas' morning had left him fair gutfounded and he had been hastening so quickly to remedy his long stomach that he had already found himself too close. To any outside witness, he would have appeared to have driven himself straight forward into the treacherous distracted division. Thomas' sure footfall had caused one of the floorboards to emit a most querulous whimper. At once, Mrs. Dyer's keen eyes had flicked in his direction and registered his presence and its implications. What she must think of me, Thomas thought, a clumsy fool who does not know when to retreat!

Mrs. Dyer's quickly veiled the pain in her expression and had delicately and deliberately left the room with such avidity that Thomas had barely registered the words he has stammered in an effort to be polite. Thomas inwardly cursed himself and his appetite, feeling positively dastardly for his blunder. Archer, you nincompoop! he thought as he bunched his hands into fists at his sides. He would have abandoned any further opportunity for bodily nourishment if it mean he could reverse Mrs. Dyer's chagrin.

Discomposure aside, a deep well of tortuous emotion was rising within Thomas urging him to take one of two immediate immediate pathways. His first inclination was to pursue Mrs. Dyer to provide her with quiet assurances, however imprudent that may be. He was truly shaken in seeing her so visibly disquieted as he had come to ardently admire her calm and soothing nature. Fortuitously, Thomas had not completely forsaken his wits and was able to discern that giving in into such a wanton display of temerity would be an egregious error indeed. Thomas, therefore, astutely remained planted on the spot and redirected his internal guide towards his secondary course: soothing the ruffled feathers of his relation.

In this regard, Thomas felt adequately equipped. During his brief stay at Eagleton, he had spent many an hour in his cousin's presence and had discussed many of Dyer's predilections. Additionally, John's newest trend at expostulation at the dinner table had solidified Thomas' understanding of his position. However, it still remained unclear if Dyer was aware of the effect he was having on his wife's disposition in being so staunch in his views.

Thomas knew that his own tender regard for Mrs. Dyer had made him overly sensible to her changes in countenance. In fact he was so alert to her that Thomas did not even need to look in her direction to feel her presence and how it weighed on his soul. Thomas had felt each of Dyer's indiscretions as deeply as if they had been aimed toward him. He could still feel the sting of Mrs. Dyer's abrupt departure where it clenched his guts uncomfortably, causing him to feel utterly vexed with Dyer who was sitting at the table with a newspaper in one hand and his other absentmindedly fingering the handle of his cup. Yet, this was an unjustifiable bias and Thomas shook his head imperceptibly as if he could physically release his anger and then resolved to approach his cousin with only the most logical and forthcoming honesty.

As Thomas approached the table, John adjusted his posture slightly and placed the paper on the table. "Ah! Archer," he said, his voice flat and without affectation. "Please join me at the table for some refreshment. I cannot promise rousing conversation, but the coffee is still hot and may provide some stimulation."

"Thank you kindly," replied Thomas as he tentatively crossed to the other side of the table and sat opposite his relation. As he did so, Thomas used his astute observational skills to take in Dyer's appearance. All aspects of his cousin's usual dress were in order, including his cherished pocket watch, yet something seemed amiss. The fabric of his cravat was flattened down upon his waistcoat and the collar of his coat was unevenly placed. The corners of John's mouth were turned down and his lips were pressed together in a thin line. The outer edges of John's eyelids were rimmed red where they met with his eyelashes. Finally, Thomas noted a few unkempt hairs straggling along Dyer's forehead. He had never seen his fastidious cousin look so dour or untidy. Perhaps I have underestimated his perceptive nature, thought Thomas as he felt himself soften in sympathy.

"I mean no discourtesy, cousin, but I cannot help but remark that you are troubled this morning," Thomas spoke gingerly as he sipped his coffee and glanced slyly at Dyer to evaluate his response.

A strange sound emanated from Dyer's direction that sounded like a cross between a laugh and a snort of derision. Unnerved, Thomas looked up fully and eyed Dyer cautiously. A darkness was visible on his relation's features that he had never seen before.

"I would be sorely surprised if the horses in the stables did not hear the dispute between myself and my wife this morning. She certainly proved that she can ring a fine peal!"

"Well, yes," admitted Thomas guardedly. "I did notice a small discord when I arrived." Not wanting to seem impertinent, Thomas returned his attentions towards the breakfast table. Placing a thin slice of ham on his plate, Thomas cut it delicately before placing a piece in his mouth. He then reached for a slice of toast.

"I am in a bad loaf, I'm afraid," stated John with a sigh, causing Thomas to hesitate momentarily before plucking a roll from the plate instead. John continued, "For it seems my wife does is most passionately displeased with the services of M. Lemaire and I am disinclined to acquiesce to her request in discharging his services. For it is only under his care that I can be assured that my son will be born under proper supervision. There is no science in the work of female midwives!"

"That is a predicament, indeed," commiserated Thomas. "There is no doubt that safety for the child is of the utmost concern. I would be surprised if Mrs. Dyer does not feel the same."

"I cannot fathom that she does when she insists only on feeling comfortable during her birth." John replied emphatically. "She is a novice in this regard and should not have formed such strong opinions. Whereas, M. Lemaire is well studied."

"Yes, but I do not believe that it stands to reason that having studied a subject matter makes you an expert in its execution," rebutted Thomas plainly. "I spend many hours reading to improve my knowledge of literature, but I do not imagine that it makes me a writer. Nor do I believe that studying a diagram of a pistol made me proficient in firing it. Rather it was practical application of its use that helped me excel in that way."

"I do not see your point" John retorted, a pinkish hue rising visibly above his necktie.

"I am simply begging the question of empirical relevance. I do not believe that education should be viewed as solely academic proficiency. Yes, I have know many an individual who have ameliorated their positions through observation, discussion, and debates. Yet, always I have found those who have learned through tangible implementation of ideals to be the most competent guides when one must apply a physical skill. Therefore, I am inclined to believe that a familial midwife's presence at a birth is a most desirable option. For it is only a woman who can truly speak to what it feels like to bring life from a womb."

Anger was now rife in John's face as he regarded Thomas with a pinched expression. "Have you colluded with my wife to share such disagreeable conclusions? For you are as bad as she is!"

Thomas started momentarily as he had only been sharing his personal views and was not aware that they were so similar to those expressed by Mrs. Dyer.

"Never before have I felt such hatred towards the improvement of women's minds!" continued John. "I have always cherished Mrs. Dyer's affinity for learning and yet today I see that it is this very aspect of her character that is threatening our domestic bliss. She should have learned that it is not a women's place to question her husband." John brought his hand down swiftly on the table.

Thomas paused deliberately as he pondered his best approach in quelling John's ire. The vehement way in which his cousin spoke seem uncharacteristic and troubling for he had always understood that the affection between the Dyer's to be founded in mutual admiration.

"Cousin, I see that I have caused you to have your back up. That was never my intention, and I shall confirm that I have not spoken to Mrs. Dyer about this matter as that is and never shall be my place," Thomas began. "However, as this is no hoyden we are discussing, rather your wife who is a gentlewoman of the utmost moral excellence, I have to make one additional inquiry," he continued delicately.

A little surprised, John raised his eyes towards Archer. He made a small gesture with his hand to indicate that he should continue. Encouraged, Thomas spoke once more.

"You see, I fail to understand one simple aspect of your conclusion . You espouse the need for Mrs. Dyer to be obedient without thinking and criticize her learning and logic as being out of place in your discussions. Yet you also unfailingly praise M. Lemaire's education and categorically state it is of the utmost importance in why you chose him above a female midwife. Is is this incongruity that I do not understand."

"I have never had a wife, so forgive me if I am wrong, but I do not believe that you really wish to jeopardize any cordial respect, admiration and equality in your marriage for the sake of such irony. You cannot wave one hand about righteously if it is at the expense of cutting off the other. So, I urge you to reflect on your conclusions before you condemn your wife for being too modern and yet not modern enough."

It was with this conclusion that Thomas returned to his coffee, sipping it once more as he let John sit opposite him in stunned silence.