Before taking her into the library, my wife told me she was an old friend in a marriage crisis. A fatuous lie; at her age there are no crises left in marriage, only acceptance and extraction. {General Villiers}
The narrator reflects on a conversation with his wife before they meet an old acquaintance. She states that the woman is facing a marriage crisis, but the narrator sees this as a simplistic and insincere explanation. In his view, at the woman's age, such crises are arguably unlikely, leading to a feeling of resignation rather than turmoil.
This insight suggests that the woman has likely reached a stage in life where tolerance and adaptation take precedence over romantic struggles. The narrator's perspective implies a deeper understanding of relationships, where older individuals may prioritize stability and acceptance over conflict.
