"Those things may sound nice but that life back then wasn't all strawberries and cream. Think of the things people do for you now that I had to do for myself; wash dishes, do house work, find answers on my own."
"Do you think I'm too dumb to do that stuff, or too lazy?"
"No, I'm not sure you fully understand what's involved with life without servants at your beck and call. Someone to wipe your . . . nose when it runs."
"I don't care about servants, and I don't even like most of them, and they don't like me! They all lie. Their life sucks; I told you they say that. I'd do my share. Why don't you believe me?"
"I do, but it scares me. I honestly believe you could do anything you set your mind to."
It was Karen's turn to blink back tears. "It scares me too but I could do it. Can I help find our house?"
Just the words our house was enough to do it. I'd move into a hovel as long as she, her father and her brother were with me.
"Sure," I said, giving her hand a squeeze that buckled her to her knees. "Where should we live?"
"As far away as we can. Maybe near the ocean or on a farm."
"I don't know anything about animals, so a farm doesn't thrill me. I can't see your father milking cows either. I love the water, but we can't go too far away because your father has to get to his office in Boston."
"We can live on the other side of Boston. There's ocean up there." She stopped and a sad look passed over her face. "You're not just talking, are you? Humoring me? People do that all the time."
"No, Karen. I'm not. I'd never do that."
"Will you marry Dad or is this just words to get me to love you, because I won't?"
"As much as I'd love for you to care for me a fraction of how I love you, it's not necessary you love me back. All I ask is for you give me a fair chance."
"What's 'a fair chance'?"
"You don't have to love me but don't fight me. Don't work against me, ever. Do your share; more than your share. I'll need all the help I can get."
"I told you I'm not lazy! What else?"
"Be honest with me."
She thought a minute. "I can't promise I won't maybe fib sometimes."
"Good." She looked up at me. "Because if you promised you'd never lie, I'm not sure I could believe you, at least not yet. But you have to promise to try very hard."