"Is this a new kind of Prodigal Daughter we're encountering ?" He did not look nor sound condemnatory, and as she faced him she caught a twinkle in the wise old eyes.
"You can call it that if you want to," she said, "Only I thought the Prodigal Son just spent his money--I'm going to earn some." "I want you to talk to Diantha, Doctor Major," Mrs.Bell struck in.

"I'm going to ask you to excuse me, and go and lie down for a little.

I do believe she'll listen to you more than to anybody." The mother retired, feeling sure that the good man who had known her daughter for over fifteen years would have a restraining influence now; and Diantha braced herself for the attack.
It came, heavy and solid, based on reason, religion, tradition, the custom of ages, the pastoral habit of control and protection, the father's instinct, the man's objection to a girl's adventure.

But it was courteous, kind, and rationally put, and she met it point by point with the whole-souled arguments of a new position, the passionate enthusiasm of her years.
They called a truce.
"I can see that you _think_ its your duty, young, woman--that's the main thing.

I think you're wrong.