Joyce's Investments: A Story for Girls

Women have the genius of charity, A man gives but his gold; Woman adds to it her sympathy.
The old lawyer caressed his smoothly shaven chin and gazed out at Joyce Lavillotte from under his shaggy eyebrows, as from the port-holes of a castle, impressing her as being quite as inscrutable of aspect and almost as belligerent. She, flushed and bright-eyed, leaned forward with an appealing air, opposing the resistless vigor of youth to the impassiveness of age.
It is not the crazy scheme you think it, Mr. Barrington, she said in that liquid voice which was an inheritance from her creole ancestry, and I do not mean to risk my last dollar. You know I have means that cannot be touched. Why should you be so sure I cannot manage the Works—especially when Mr. Dalton is so capable and——
The lawyer uttered something between a grunt and a laugh.
It's Mr. Dalton who will manage it all. What do you know of the Works?
No, he will not, Mr. Barrington. The factory, of course, is his province, but the village shall be mine. You think, because I am not yet twenty-two, that I do not know my own mind, but you forget how long I have been motherless; and a girl has to think for herself when her mother goes.
But your father?
You knew my father. The tremble in the young voice hardened into a haughty note, and she drew back coldly.
Mr. Barrington heaved a perplexed sigh.
I know I ought to oppose you to the death, even! You'll never have such another chance to sell out, and the sum safely invested in bonds and mortgages, would keep you like a princess.
I don't want to be kept like a princess. I don't choose to make use of that money for myself, Mr. Barrington—I can't. There is enough of my mother's for my few needs. I was brought up simply, and I am glad! If I sell the works, as you desire, I shall still give the proceeds away. Had you rather I built a hospital, or founded a girl's college, or set up a mission to the South Pole? I'd rather build a town on rational principles.