“If I thought I could spare the time.”
“The time? Elucidate.”
“I’m going to earn my own living, you know.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I am. I’ve got to—in order to—to feel right about things.”
“Don’t you like the style of living to which your cooperative parents have accustomed you?”
“I love everything you’ve ever done for me, but I can’t go on letting you do things for me forever.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know why not exactly. It doesn’t seem—right, that’s all.”
“It’s your New England conscience, Eleanor; one of the most specious varieties of consciences in the world. It will always be tempting you to 215 do good that better may come. Don’t listen to it, daughter.”