"I have plenty of money for all I need; what I want is to feel independent. I don't like to feel that I am a drag on Father and not a help."
"But Father is glad to pay for your living, dear. Just the fact that he has a big, loving daughter is enough return for him."
"I know, Father's a darling. I know he's glad to pay for Roger's education, too, but when Roger earns his room you think it's perfectly fine and when I want to do the same thing you seem to think I'm wanting to do something horrid."
Helen was nearly in tears and the fact that her mother made no reply did not calm her. Mr. Emerson shook his head slowly.
"It's in the air, my dear," he said to Mrs. Morton.
"You're partly right, Helen," said Mrs. Morton at last. "Since Roger is a boy we expect him to earn his living as soon as he is prepared to do so. We should not want him to do it now because his duty now is to secure his education and to make himself strong and well so that he'll be a vigorous and intelligent man. We had not thought of your earning your living outside your home, but if you want to prepare yourself to do so you may. I'm sure your father would have no objection if you selected a definite occupation of which he and I approved and fitted yourself to fill it well. But he would object to your taxing your strength by working now just as he would object to Roger's doing the same thing."
"But you're pleased when Roger earns his room and you seem to think it funny when I want to," repeated Helen.
"Perhaps you are right, dear. It must be because Roger is a boy and so we like to see him turning naturally to being useful and busy just as he must be all the time in a few years."
"But why can't I?"
"I have no objection to your learning how to sew this summer, certainly, if that will satisfy you; and if you'll learn how to make the Ethels' middy blouses and Dicky's little suits and rompers, I'll be glad to pay you for them just as I pay a sewing woman at home for making them."