For all that, since she was older than Barbara, it was hard to see her duty.

Mrs.Cartwright did not indicate whom she wanted, although she glanced at Barbara.

Since she was ill she had got very languid, and Cartwright did not meddle.

He knew his stepchildren, and it was characteristic that Grace talked about her duty; taking care of an invalid at a foreign hotel had not much charm for Grace.
"Very well," said Barbara, "I gave you and Mortimer first chance, because I'm not important, but since you have good grounds for staying, we won't argue." She turned to Mrs.Cartwright: "I'm going, because I want to go." Mrs.Cartwright gave her a gentle smile and it was plain that she was satisfied, but when she had gone to bed and Cartwright was alone, he pondered.

Barbara loved her mother and would have gone had she not wanted to go, but he thought she did want and had an object.