Oh, we certainly shall not.

But it helps one to know that, strictly speaking, we are _independent_ for another six months.' That word gave Virginia an obvious thrill.
'Independent! Oh, Alice, what a blessed thing is independence! Do you know, my dear, I am afraid I have not exerted myself as I might have done to find a new place.

These comfortable lodgings, and the pleasure of seeing Monica once a week, have tempted me into idleness.

It isn't really my wish to be idle; I know the harm it does me; but oh! if one could work in a home of one's own!' Alice had a startled, apprehensive look, as if her sister were touching on a subject hardly proper for discussion, or at least dangerous.
'I'm afraid it's no use thinking of that, dear,' she answered awkwardly.
'No use; no use whatever.

I am wrong to indulge in such thoughts.' 'Whatever happens, my dear,' said Alice presently, with all the impressiveness of tone she could command, 'we must never entrench upon our capital--never--never!' 'Oh, never! If we grow old and useless--' 'If no one will give us even board and lodging for our services--' 'If we haven't a friend to look to,' Alice threw in, as though they were answering each other in a doleful litany, 'then indeed we shall be glad that nothing tempted us to entrench on our capital! It would just keep us'-- her voice sank--'from the workhouse.' After this each took up a volume, and until teatime they read quietly.
From six to nine in the evening they again talked and read alternately.
Their conversation was now retrospective; each revived memories of what she had endured in one or the other house of bondage.