"Nothing cheap about him." That was mom's description of her uncle gordon. Her aunt bernice, of course, was a full-time housewife.

Aunt bernice was fully dependent upon uncle gordon's provisioning.  i don't know if my great aunt had ever held a job.  But i know, she cooked, cleaned, and took care of she and her husband's two children - and then a grandchild, who had come to live with them...long story.  Anyway, still recall another sentence, mom had used, concerning her very manly uncle - he was big, handsome, and tough.

"What do you need?"  

My great uncle would ask my great aunt.  By the way, she didn't have a driver's license either - that was not uncommon for wives  back then; and besides, they lived in the city - so, if she needed something during the day, she either walked a few blocks, or took the bus.  That is, if she had time, to go anywhere.  

So, uncle took her shopping.  "What do you need?"  In short, if her sweater was starting to look ragged...oh no, THAT was a need.  He not only took her to a clothing shop, but to one that sold nice sweaters.  And if she needed something else, uncle saw to it.  Uncle was not a rich man, just careful with his money,

and considerate of his wife and children.