renrevan:

She drew herself up with as much pride as she could muster. “I am an independent operator, scavanger of the metal lands, free of debt and beholden to no one. Least of all to a small-time trader named Plutt.”

“You are… you are…” The merchant tried to control himself. “You have nothing. You are nothing!”

“On the contrary,” she shot back, “I just told you who I am. As to what I have, that would be my freedom and my pride.”