But Larry--that was something different.
And thus she thought on, drawn this way and that, and unable to reach a decision.

But with most people, when in a state of acute mental turmoil, that which has been most definite in the past, instinct, habit of mind, purpose, tradition, becomes at least temporarily the dominant factor through the mere circumstance that it has existed powerfully before, through its comparative stability, through its semi-permanence.

And so with Maggie.

She had for that one afternoon almost been won over against herself by the workings of Larry's secret diplomacy.

Then had come the natural reaction.