the charge with genuine indignation. Nevertheless, driven by the
universal longing, and abetted by parental apathy and parental lack of
imagination, they did lead a double life. They chafed bitterly under the
code to which they were obliged ostensibly to submit. In their moods of
revolt, they honestly believed their parents to be dull and obstinate
creatures who had lost the appetite for romance and ecstasy and were
determined to mortify this appetite in others. They desired heaps of
money and the free, informal companionship of very young men. The
latter--at the cost of some intrigue and subterfuge--they contrived to
get. But money they could not get. Frequently they said to each other
with intense earnestness that they would do anything for money; and they
repeated passionately, 'anything.'

'Just look at that stuck-up thing!' said Milly laughing. They stood
together at the window, and Milly pointed her finger at Rose, who was
walking conscientiously to and fro across the garden in the gathering
dusk.

Ethel rapped on the pane, and the three sisters exchanged friendly
smiles.

'Rosie will never pass her exam, not if she lives to be a hundred,'
said Ethel. 'And can you imagine father making me go to the works? Can
you imagine the sense of it?'

'He won't let you walk up with Fred at nights,' said Milly, 'so you
needn't think.'

'And your housekeeping!' Ethel exclaimed. 'What a treat father will have
at meals!'