"Of course. Of course you did. Who wouldn't?"
"I never meant you to know it, Dorothy."
"Of course I knew it. I must have known it ever since Michael was born. I knew you couldn't help it. You had to. Even when I was a tiresome kid I knew you had to. It was natural."
"Natural or unnatural, many girls have hated their mothers for less. You've been very big and generous.
"Perhaps--if you'd been little and weak--but you were always such an independent thing. I used to think you didn't want me."
"I wanted you a lot more than you thought. But, you see, I've learned to do without."
She thought: "It's better she should have it straight."
"If you'd think less about me, Mother," she said, "and more about Father--"
"Father?"
"Yes. Father isn't independent--though he looks it. He wants you awfully. He always has wanted you. And he hasn't learned to do without."