"I don't know, dear. He is very lovable, he has fine generous traits, he has the making of a big man in him—but his character isn't formed yet, you must remember. So much of him is imagination that he will take longer than most men to grow up to his stature."
"Oh, Susan!" exclaimed Virginia, and turned away.
"Perhaps I oughtn't to have said it, Jinny—but, no, I ought to tell you just what I think, and I don't regret it."
"Mother said the same thing to me," responded Virginia, looking as if she were on the point of tears; "but that is just because neither of you know him as I do."
"He is a Treadwell and so am I, and the chief characteristic of every Treadwell is that he is going to get the thing he wants most. It doesn't make any difference whether it is money or love or fame, the thing he wants most he will get sooner or later. So all I mean is that you needn't spoil Oliver by giving him the universe before he wants it."
"I can't give him the universe. I can only give him myself."
Stooping over, Susan kissed her.
"Happy, happy little Jinny!"
"There are only two things that trouble me, dear—one is going away from mother and father, and the other is that you are not so happy as I am."
"Some day I may get the thing I want like every other Treadwell."