I should cherish no more illusions as to my importance in their eyes.

I meant to be really independent from that time on.

I did not care--really did not care--for anything or anybody outside my immediate household.

I was back in the position I had occupied for years, but with one difference: I had an ambition now.

It was to make both sides in the Shore Lane controversy realize that George Taylor was right when he said I had the whip-hand.
By the Almighty, they should dance when I cracked that whip! My first opportunity to crack it came a day or two later, when Captain Dean called upon me.