"Well," she said, "you are not one to swallow praise greedily." Then her tone changed.

"I owe it to you to tell you why I wish to do this," she said, "and I will.
You are an honest girl, with yourself as well as with other people--too honest, perhaps, and you deserve that I should be honest with you.

I am not doing this for you in the least, my dear." Ellen stared at her.
"No, I am not," repeated Cynthia.

"You are a very clever, smart girl, I am sure, and it will be a nice thing for you to have a better education, and be able to take a higher place in the world, but I am not doing it for you.

When you were a little child I would have done everything, given my life almost, for you, but I never care so much for children when they grow up.