position now. I am the head of all things, such as they are. Great or
small this entails certain obligations on a man. I have to study all
my words and acts.

"If you are going to stay here with me I shall expect you to assume
your share; to consider my interests, to support me; to play the game
as they say. What I object to is your impulsiveness, your
outspokenness with the people. Remember, everybody here is your
dependent. It is always a mistake to be open and frank with
dependents. They don't understand it, and if they do, they presume
upon it.

"Be guided by my experience; no one could justly accuse me of any lack
of affability or friendliness in dealing with the people here--but they
never know what I am thinking of!"

"Admirable!" murmured Colina, "but I'm not a directors' meeting!"

"Colina!" said her father indignantly.

"It's not fair for you to drag that in about my standing by you and
supporting you!" she went on warmly. "You know I'll do that as long as
I live! But I must be allowed to do it in my own way. I'm an adult
and an individual. I differ from you. I've a right to differ from
you. It is because these people are my inferiors that I can afford to
be perfectly natural with them. As for their presuming on it, you
needn't fear! I know how to take care of that!"

"A little more reserve," murmured her father.