If a secret held be a burden, a secret shared is a fetter.

But Tom's heart rejoiced within him.
"Let me see!--How old are you, Letty ?" he asked gayly.
"Eighteen past," she answered.
"Then you are fit to judge for yourself.

You ain't a child, and they are not your father and mother.

What right have they to know everything you do?
I wouldn't let any such nonsense trouble me." "But they give me everything, you know--food, and clothes, and all." "Ah, just so!" returned Tom.

"And what do you do for them ?" "Nothing." "Why! what are you about all day ?" Letty gave him a brief sketch of her day.
"And you call that nothing ?" exclaimed Tom.