Independence is a costly luxury, and few can afford it."
"But suppose you can't afford the other thing?"
"Then we must pretend we can. Oh, you DON'T understand! So MUCH depends
upon a proper appearance. Everything depends upon it--one's future,
one's children's future--everything."
"Humph!" with the same irritating smile, "I should think that might mean
some plannin'. And plans, the best of 'em, are likely to go wrong. You
talk about the children in your--in what you call your 'circle.' How can
you plan what they'll do? You might when they was little, perhaps; but
when they grow up it's different."
"It is not. It CAN'T be! And, if they have been properly reared and
understand their responsibilities, they plan with you."
"Land sakes! You mean--why, s'pose they take a notion to get married?
I'm an old bach, of course, but the average young girl or feller is
subject to that sort of ailment, 'cordin' to the records. S'pose one
of your circle's daughters gets to keepin' company with a chap who's
outside the ring? A promisin', nice boy enough, but poor, and a rank
outsider? Mean to say she sha'n't marry him if she wants to."
"Certainly! That sort of marriage is never a happy one, unless, of
course, the girl is wealthy enough not to care.
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