"I can't see anything disgraceful about it, mother. I am sure it is
far better to earn one's own living than to be always depending upon
others. But I shall not disgrace you, so you need not worry about
that."

"What do you intend to do?"

"I have several things in view, and I know that daddy will provide me
with money to carry them out."

"He will do nothing of the sort. His mind is as fully made up as mine
that you are to marry Mr. Donaster. Don't you think that we are more
capable of judging for your good than you?"

"I have very serious doubts about that. I know you will consider me
ungrateful for saying so, but you ask me, and so I am forced to tell
the truth."

"Well, I declare!" and Mrs. Randall looked her astonishment. "What has
come over you, Jess? I never knew you to talk like this before. You
seem to have lost all confidence in your parents' judgment."

"Not all, mother. But I know how you interfered with the boys'
welfare, and look how they have turned out. There was a time when they
wished to go to work and win their own way in the world. But you would
not let them, and spoiled their lives by giving them too much money to
spend, and telling them that it was not dignified to work. And look
what they are now; helpless to do anything for themselves, and a burden
to you. Daddy agreed with everything you said, and see what has
happened. You made a sad mistake with them, and I am determined that