Your father and I have always said that one thing, that you shouldn't suffer by us.

What did your father always say years ago?
"Emily," he said, "shall have a good education, however we stint ourselves; then, when she grows up, she'll always be able to keep herself from want, and our poverty won't matter to her." And in that, at all events, he was right, and it's come about as he said.

No, Emily, we're not going to be a burden to you, so don't fear it.' 'Mother, will you let me be by myself a little?
I will come down to you presently.' 'Aren't you well, my dear ?' the mother asked, with a mixture of offended reserve and anxiety occasioned by the girl's voice and aspect.
'I have a headache.

I will rest till tea-time.' Mrs.Hood had for a long time been unused to tend Emily with motherly offices; like her husband, she was not seldom impressed with awe of this nature so apart from her own.

That feeling possessed her now; before Emily's last words she moved away in silence and closed the door behind her gently.
The irony of fate, coming out so bitterly in all that her mother had said, was like a cold hand on Emily's heart.