Božena Viková-Kunětická

“ It entered her mind that it might be a good plan to cook lentils today for dinner. She wanted a new fragrance in her kitchen—an odor to which it heretofore was unaccustomed, as she had not yet cooked lentils during her married life.
She continued to look at herself in the glass stupidly and without interest. She had a beautifully molded figure, but her inspection of self did not impress her pleasurably or otherwise, because her goal was attained—her purpose achieved. She possessed charming lips and large, clear eyes which she opened wide, as if in constant wonder. ”

“ The young wife with the instinct born in every woman divined that the touch of her hands no longer aroused a thrill in her husband’s senses and that he kissed her without any tremors of pleasure, but rather in a hasty, careless, perfunctory manner. ”

“ The golden band shines on her finger now, and with it all the past is banished, the present solved and the future ordained.
“Well, then, lentils it shall be today.” Lentils are certainly not rare, but they will cause a change in the entire atmosphere of her clean, shiny household. As soon as he reaches the steps her husband will be met with the fragrance from the kitchen and will know that she is cooking lentils for his dinner. ”