you say, but I have seen something of the world, and I know that such arrangements never answer. There cannot be two masters in a house, and yet at my age my freedom is very necessary to me.”
“But you would be completely free.”
“No, dear, you cannot be that if you are a guest in another man’s house. Can you suggest no other alternative?”
“That we remain with you.”
“No, no. That is out of the question. Mrs. Westmacott herself says that a woman’s first duty is to marry. Marriage, however, should be an equal partnership, as she points out, I should wish you both to marry, but still I should like a suggestion from you, Clara, as to what I should do.”
“But there is no hurry, papa. Let us wait. I do not intend to marry yet.”
Doctor Walker looked disappointed. “Well, Clara, if you can suggest nothing, I suppose that I must take the initiative myself,” said he.
“Then what do you propose, papa?” She braced herself as one who sees the blow which is about to fall,
He looked at her and hesitated. “How like your poor dear mother you are, Clara!” he cried. “As I looked at you then it was as if she had come back. from the grave.” He
