§20
Another thing that worried Joanna was the fact that the passing year brought no expectations to Donkey Street. One of her happiest anticipations in connexion with Ellen's marriage was her having a dear little baby whom Joanna could hug and spoil and teach. Perhaps it would be a little girl, and she would feel like having Ellen over again.
She was bitterly disappointed when Ellen showed no signs of obliging her quickly, and indeed quite shocked by her sister's expressed indifference on the matter.
"I don't care about children, Jo, and I'm over young to have one of my own."
"Young! You're rising twenty, and mother was but eighteen when I was born."
"Well, anyhow, I don't see why I should have a child just because you want one."
"I don't want one. For shame to say such things, Ellen Alce."
"You want me to have one, then, for your benefit."
"Don't you want one yourself?"