MRS. MASTERSON. That's precisely it, Ethel . . .
ETHEL. And I, for one, knowing that he hated me, don't want his money.
And what is more, I refuse to touch his money.
DR. MASTERSON. Not being of age, my dear, you can't . . .
ETHEL. I am near enough of age to possess my self-respect. And I shall
refuse to touch one penny.
DR. MASTERSON. My child, there are a good many pennies in a half
million dollars.
MRS. MASTERSON. And when you are of age, Ethel, you'll appreciate . .
ETHEL. I shall be of age two years from now, and then I shall return
to Oceana every penny of grandfather's money that may have been gotten
for me.
LETITIA. Ethel!
MRS. MASTERSON. It seems to me this is a strange way for a young girl
to be speaking to her parents!
ETHEL. I can't help it, mother. I am meek and patient . . . I try to
let you have your way with me in everything. But this is a matter of
principle, and I can't let myself be sat on.
MRS. MASTERSON. Sat on! Is that your view of your mother's attitude
towards you?
ETHEL. You know, perfectly well, mother; that it's impossible for
anybody to preserve any individuality in contact with you . . . that
as a matter of fact, neither father nor Letitia nor Freddy nor myself
have preserved a shred of it. Grandfather said that to you himself,
the last time you ever saw him . . . I know it, for I've heard father
say it a hundred times.
DR. MASTERSON. Well!
MRS. MASTERSON.
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