“Then you think Bell is sillier now than you were two years ago,—well, perhaps that is true; but how comes it, Rosamond, now that you are so wise, that you are fond of such a silly person?”
“I, father?” said Rosamond, hesitating, “I don’t think I am very fond of her.”
“I did not say very fond.”
“Well, but I don’t think I am at all fond of her.”
“But you have spent a whole week in making this thing for her.”
“Yes, and all my half guinea besides.”
“Yet you think her silly, and you are not fond of her at all; and you say you know this thing will be of no use to her.”
“But it is her birthday, sir; and I am sure she will expect something, and everybody else will give her something.”
“Then your reason for giving is because she expects you to give her something. And will you, or can you, or should you, always give, merely because others expect, or because somebody else gives?”
“Always?—no, not always.”