So altogether she felt that, if the plan failed, she would not be very sorry. But Bee might on no account guess this.
Several weeks later came the day of parting; and once more Magda stood before Miss Mordaunt with a lump in her throat.
"You will have to work steadily, if you do not mean to lose all you have gained, Magda."
"I know. I shall make a plan for every day, and stick to it."
"Except when home duties come between."
"I've no home duties. Pen goes everywhere with mother, and Merryl does all the little useful fidgets. There's nothing left for me. Nobody will care what I'm after."
Miss Mordaunt studied the impressionable face. Some eager thought was at work below the surface.
"What is it, my dear?"
"You always know when I've something on my mind. I've been thinking a lot lately. Miss Mordaunt, I want to do something with my life. Not just to drift along anyhow, as so many girls do. I want to make something of it. Something great, you know!"—and her eyes glowed. "Do you think I shall ever be able? Does the chance come to everybody some time or other? I've heard it said that it does."
"It may. Many miss the 'chance,' as you call it, when it does come. I should rather call it 'the opportunity.' What do you mean by 'something great'?"