"When do you suppose that will be?"
"I do not know. That of course would depend upon the other question."
"Not necessarily. My wish is that you should be fitted for any situation in life. A one-sided education is never to be chosen, if one can help it; and one generally can help it. We can, at any rate. What are you thinking of doing, Rotha? in that 'afterwards' to which you refer?"
"I have not thought very much about it. But you know I must do something. I suppose teaching would be the best. I dare say Mrs. Mowbray would take me for one of her helpers, if I were once fitted to fill the place."
"What put this in your head?"
"I suppose, first, some words of aunt Serena. That was her plan for me."
"I thought it was arranged that I was to take care of you."
"You are doing it," said Rotha gratefully. "But of course you could not do it always."
"Why not?"
"Why—because—" said Rotha faltering and flushing a little,—"I do not belong to you in any way. It would not be right."