How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #10
POLLY. Yes, my dear, naturally the wife has…
LUCY. The wife
POLLY. …the wife is entitled to some preference. Or at least the appearance of it, my dear. (2.6.131-134)
Similarly to the previous quote, Polly recognizes that being someone's wife gives you certain privileges in society, and that being someone's girlfriend usually gets you a bad reputation and not much more. But our dear Polly is also smart enough to recognize that Mac isn't going to give anyone an honorable title. She's willing to put up with his running around as long as she gets to "appear" to take preference.