The Awakening — Kate Chopin

Mr Pontellier had prepared for bed but he slipped on an extra garment He opened a bottle of wine of which he kept a small and select supply in a buffet of his own He drank a glass of the wine and went out on the gallery and offered a glass to his wife She did not wish any He drew up the rocker hoisted his slippered feet on the rail and proceeded to smoke a cigar He smoked two cigars then he went inside and drank another glass of wine Mrs Pontellier again declined to accept a glass when it was offered to her Mr Pontellier once more seated himself with elevated feet and after a reasonable interval of time smoked some more cigars Edna began to feel like one who awakens gradually out of a dream a delicious grotesque impossible dream to feel again the realities pressing into her soul The physical need for sleep began to overtake her the exuberance which had sustained and exalted her spirit left her helpless and yielding to the conditions which crowded her in