This means that his wife was not as important to him as his health, his prayers and his religion. He married Lucy in order to increase his wealth, not just companionship. In fact, Lucy was an example of planation mistresses who were like slaves whom their husbands considered subordinates. They were like the property of their husbands, always controlled. They were unhappy with their lack of freedom but still needed to be pleasant and cheerful while their husbands had affairs with other women. The lives of plantation mistresses are often lonely, sullen and depressed. This reflects the independence of sex and the way men treated their women at that time in the world.