"Yes, I've begun giving it. I mean an education."
"Oh!"
This was a blow.
"See that you make the most of it. It will put a key in your hands that can unlock a hundred doors to happiness. I am doing with you—only a little more helpfully perhaps—what the Swedish peasant did with his eldest son."
"What did he do?"
"He took the boy up to the top of the highest hill in the country, and said, 'You are young, my son, but I am about to give you your inheritance. Look abroad'—and he stretched out his arms—'behold, I give you the world! Go forth and take what portion you will.'"
Val drew a quick breath.
"Ha! I know what I want."
"What do you think you want, little girl?"
"I want to be loved—oh, but tremendously! And I want to do some one thing awfully, awfully well."