Mrs Aldworth was always irritated when opposed.
“That’s true,” she said. “But don’t quibble, Marcia; that is a very disagreeable trait in any girl, particularly when she is addressing a woman so much older than herself. The girls are younger than you, not only in years but in character.”
“That I quite corroborate,” said Marcia firmly.
“Why do you speak in that tone, as though you were finding fault with them, poor darlings, for being young and sweet and childish, and innocent?”
“Mother,” said Marcia, and now she rose from her seat and dropped on her knees by the invalid’s couch, “do you think that I really blame them for being young and innocent? But I do blame them for something else.”
“And what is that?”
“For being selfish: for thinking of themselves more than for others.”
“I don’t understand you.”
“If you will consider for a moment I think you will quite understand what I mean.”
“Marcia, my head aches; I cannot stand a long argument.”