The Independence of Claire

" ...]have had some plan in your head all these years while the money was dwindling away. Tell me your scheme, then we can compare the two and see which is better." Mrs Gifford bent her head over the table, and scribbled aimlessly with a pen in which there was no ink. She made no answer in words, yet as she waited the blood flamed suddenly over Claire's face, for it seemed to her that she divined what was in her mother's mind. "I expected that you would marry. I have done my best to ...]."