If it occurred to Thursey that there was really no relationship between marrying your own true love and having a fortune showered upon you, she didn't bother about that. In a story you might as well have both, it was make-believe anyway.But if I had to choose, she thought. If I had to choose . . . she stared at her ragged dress hanging from its hook, and her ragged mended sandals on the shelf, then put the books away. How would I ever have such a choice, except in a made-up story?
Thursey reflects on the disconnect between marrying for love and gaining wealth, realizing that in a fictional world, both can coexist. However, she acknowledges that her reality is far from this idealized narrative. The contrast between her dreams and her tattered clothing and shoes highlights her struggles, reinforcing her sense of longing for a better life.
As she puts away her books, Thursey contemplates the notion of choice, feeling that in her own life, such decisions are not possible. She recognizes that the concept of choosing between love and wealth feels like a fantasy meant for stories rather than attainable reality. This introspection reveals her yearning for a life filled with possibilities that remain just out of reach.