Debra expressed her surprise, "Still in school, huh? I'm gonna speak my mind, honey, don't you take it the wrong way! What's the point of a girl burying her nose in books all day? At the end of the day, you're just gonna end up married off. Look at me, I didn't even finish elementary, and do I seem any worse for wear? And there's Sarah, only a couple years older than you, about to tie the knot! And she's marrying up, let me tell you! She'll be living the high life, just sipping on lemonade and feasting on apple pie at our place!"
Debra's comfortable life was all thanks to a good marriage, so in her eyes, a girl didn't need a fancy education. And Sarah was just lucky to get hitched into their family!
Without their support, Sarah would've been nothing but poor her whole life.
Debra continued, "We just hired a college grad at the company, a designer! A girl, too. And she's making what, fifty grand a year?"
It wasn't about the fifty grand a year. It was about this college graduate working for someone who didn't even finish elementary school.
Debra was brimming with pride. So what if she didn't finish elementary school? She was still the boss! College grads were working for her.
Anthea smiled slightly, "A mind filled with knowledge radiates a special kind of grace. Debra, with all due respect, your view's a bit narrow. The higher you stand, the further you see. Your own perspective defines how you carry yourself."
Debra's worldview was limited.
Never having mixed with truly successful people, she couldn't see the value in education.
She thought she had reached the pinnacle of success, unaware that there are always greater heights to be reached.
"What are you talking about?," Debra said, looking at Anthea puzzled.
Anthea just smiled, "That's probably the difference between those who value education and those who don't."
Debra got that one. It was a jab at her lack of culture.
Sassy little thing, wasn't she? Daring to speak to an elder like that, utterly disrespectful.
However, Debra saw herself as an upstanding person and was not willing to descend to Anthea's level.
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