"
Janet was wandering about among the flowers, evidently waiting for
her, and began, as she came in—-
"I wanted to speak to you, mother."
"Well, Janet," said Caroline, reviewing in one moment every unmarried
man, likely or unlikely, who had approached the girl, and with a
despairing conviction that it would be some one very unlikely indeed!
"You know I am of age, mother."
"Certainly. We drank your health last Monday."
"I made up my mind that till I was of age I would go on studying, and
at the same time see something of the world and of society."
"Certainly," said Caroline, wondering what her inscrutable daughter
was coming to.
"And having done this, I wish to devote myself to the study of
medicine."
"Be a lady doctor, Janet!"
"Mother, you are surely above all the commonplace, old world
nonsense!"
"I don't think I am, Janet. I don't think your father would have
wished it."
"He would have gone on with the spirit of the times, mother; men do,
while women stand still."
"I don't think he would in this."
"I think he would, if he knew me, and the issues and stake, and how
his other children are failing him."
"Janet!"-—and the colour flushed into her mother's face—-"I don't
quite know what you mean; but it is time we came to an
understanding.
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