He didn't dare to, because his father had a weak heart and habitually threatened to drop dead if anybody hurt his feelings. You may have noticed that people with weak hearts are the tyrants of English married life.
Source: In The Ultimate Success Quotations Library, 1997.
-- George Bernard Shaw, (Jul 26 1856-1950), Irish dramatist, critic; He is generally recognized as the best dramatist since Shakespeare; promoted social reform with drama of ideas.