Reaction came.
It interested Catherine to picture various meetings with her father and to invent conversations between them in which she should be unquestionably the winner. The ideal dialogue, she had decided after much reflection, would be:
HER FATHER (stopping her in the street). Catherine!
SHE (haughtily). I beg your pardon!
HER FATHER (tearfully). Oh, don’t be so cruel, Cathie—why don’t you come back?
SHE. I am not aware that I am being cruel.
HER FATHER. You are being horribly cruel (passionately). Oh, Cathie, Cathie, come back! I give in about your going out to work, I give in about anything you like, only do come back, do, do come!
SHE (coldly). Please don’t make a scene.... I am perfectly comfortable where I am and have no desire to make any alteration in my arrangements.
HER FATHER. Oh, Cathie, Cathie, you’re breaking my heart! I’ve been lonely, oh, so lonely ever since——
SHE (kindly but firmly). I’m sorry, but I cannot stay to carry on a conversation like this. You turned me out of your house when you chose: it is for me to come back when I choose, if I choose.... I bear you no ill-will.... I must be going. Please leave go of my arm....