What happens when a married couple or two friends decide to never speak to each other again? In 1898 an article was published on this very topic, and the results are rather interesting.
Singularly Silent People
It is scarcely conceivable that a man and his wife can live together for a lengthened period without speaking to each other, but we came across a case a few days ago where such a silence had been maintained for eighteen years. The couple in question did not agree on certain points, and as arguments led to quarrels, the wife concluded that it would be a good plan not to speak to each other. The husband agreed, and the difficulty was then how to communicate with one another, seeing that they continued to live in the same house.
A cat became their go-between, or rather several of these animals during the long period of their silence. If the husband wanted anything he told the cat, in his wife’s hearing, and she, in like manner, apprised the same animal when her husband’s dinner was ready. Rather an unsatisfactory way of doing business, one would imagine. How long such a silence will be continued it is difficult to say; but after eighteen years of it, it is not too much to expect that they are somewhat tired of their peculiar system of married life.
A Couple in Silence for 20 Years
Another married couple kept silence for 20 years. The man had a violent temper, and one day, after having a row with his wife, he vowed that he would never speak to her again. The couple continued to live together in the same house, but no conversation passed between them for the period stated. At the end of that time, however, the man fell ill, and relenting of his rash vow, he broke through the long silence. The illness immediately preceded his death and, as may be expected, the wife nursed the husband who for 20 years had not spoken to her in the most faithful manner.
Two Schoolboys
In another case two schoolboys who were great friends quarreled, and as a result they vowed that they would never speak to each other again. These resolutions were kept for 60 years, but last year, when attending a holiday gathering of their old school to which former pupils had been invited, they decided to forget the past, and at once entered into conversation. They recounted their experiences to each other, and appeared to be two of the happiest old scholars at the gathering.
Source: Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.), 12 Aug. 1898.
