you can either interpret this as sexist because old women arent sexy OR everett being loyal to his one nd only wife. choose your side
Both. He doesn't find her attractive, but he needs to be extra to get the point across without Mrs. True getting involved and potentially using Everett as a blunt object against the offending woman.
Man's kept in place by a mix of love and acknowledging he's found the only person who can take him down.