"I don't believe it," he answered angrily.
"Then you must find it out for yourself. Morris, I don't want to be in love with anybody, if that's what you mean. I love you dearly, but I am not in love with you or with anybody."
"You don't know the difference," he said quickly.
"How do you know the difference? Did you learn it before I was born?"
"I love my mother, but I am in love with you; that's the difference."
"Then I don't know the difference—and I do. I love my dear father and Mr. Holmes and you,—not all alike, but I need you all at different times—"
"And Hollis," he persisted.
"I do not know him," she insisted. "I have nothing to say about that. Morris, I want to go with Miss Prudence and study; I don't want to be a housekeeper and have a husband, like Linnet! I have so much to learn; I am eager for everything. You see you are older than I am."
"Yes," he said, disappointedly, "you are only a little girl yet. Or you are growing up to be a Woman's Rights Woman, and to think a 'career' is better than a home and a man who is no better than other men to love you and protect you and provide for you."
"You know that is not true," she answered quietly; "but I have been looking forward so long to going to school."