"My plans?"
"As you have so completely overthrown your parents' plans for you, I can only assume that you have others of your own."
Cally sat with her hands folded in her lap. A look of curious wistfulness flitted across her face.
"No, I haven't any special plans."
"I'm surprised to hear you say so. You surely do not expect to go on this way the rest of your natural life, do you?"
"I don't understand, mamma. Go on in what way?"
"In this way. In occupying the central position in my home, in allowing your parents to sacrifice their lives to you, in receiving lavish evidences of regard and affection which you evidently have not the slightest wish to return."
There was a considerable silence.
"I have a sort of plan there," said the girl, slowly. "I don't want you--and papa--to go on--giving me everything. I want," she said, with a slight tremor, "to take--to be just as little expense as I can after this."
"Oh!... Then what you want to do is to withdraw altogether from society--and go to work to earn your own living?"