Their marriage was neither flawless nor especially dramatic. They argued about money, holidays, and Henry’s habit of collecting broken objects. He believed almost anything could be repaired with patience. Clara preferred throwing useless things away. Nevertheless, their disagreements usually ended with tea, apologies, and something newly mended on the table.
They bought a small brick house opposite Hawthorne Park. Henry planted roses along the fence and built shelves throughout the kitchen. Clara worked at the local library while he repaired machinery. Each evening, they met at the park gate and walked home together, sharing whatever had happened during their separate days.