"It's the first today," Elizabeth said. Even now, she wanted to spring back to her feet and felt embarrassed at having been caught idle even if she'd done a fair deal of contributing to the common welfare today. She didn't want to be seen as lazy or a liability. She wanted to be necessary.

She had always wanted to be necessary, no matter her place in life. This place was no exception to that rule.

"I simply don't want to be a burden on anyone else. I must do my bit to contribute if I intend to reap the benefits of this place."