Mrs. Reynolds was thrilled that her husband was taking her out to dinner on their anniversary.  While not neglecting her usual chores, she had spent most of the day preparing for the night.

When it came time to leave Mr. Reynolds snapped his fingers and said, "Oh, I almost forgot!"  He produced a black, rubber ball gag from his pocket, went around behind his wife, and brought it up to her mouth.

"Wha..."  was all she managed to get out before the foul-tasting ball filled her mouth and she felt the strap begin to tighten against the back of her head.

Seeing his wife's confusion, Mr. Reynolds said, "Oh, did you forget?  I told you last week when you threw a fit about getting those pearls that you'd be sorry that you misbehaved."

Mrs. Reynolds froze as her husband finished buckling the gag into place.  The corners of her mouth were stretched just enough to hurt, but she was more concerned that he may have smudged her lipstick.  It was true, she had wanted the pearls so badly, but only so that she could look pretty for him on their anniversary!  Still, she had put him in an awkward position at the store by coming as close as a full grown woman could to having a full blown tantrum.  And it was awfully mean of her to tell him that her generous allowance was "tiny."  She hadn't taken him seriously though when he told her that she'd be sorry later.  Normally he would have marched her right out of the store and corrected her in the car.  

"So, you'll be wearing this tonight at dinner, and I'll be sure to explain to the waitstaff and any of your friends or acquaintances that we may see why you're wearing it.  You obviously won't be able to tell them, or eat for that matter!  Oh, and I know that this is your favorite restaurant, and that we only go once a year, and that I told you not to eat the whole day so that you'd be nice and hungry.  That's part of the punishment."

Mrs. Reynolds sagged against her husband in defeat as he guided her to the car.  As he helped her to her seat and closed the door she vowed silently that she'd never complain about her allowance again!