He had meant not to say anything, to refuse to answer.

But he could not harden his heart to ignore his mother.
"I DO like to talk to her," he answered irritably.
"Is there nobody else to talk to ?" "You wouldn't say anything if I went with Edgar." "You know I should.

You know, whoever you went with, I should say it was too far for you to go trailing, late at night, when you've been to Nottingham.

Besides"-- her voice suddenly flashed into anger and contempt--"it is disgusting--bits of lads and girls courting." "It is NOT courting," he cried.
"I don't know what else you call it." "It's not! Do you think we SPOON and do?
We only talk." "Till goodness knows what time and distance," was the sarcastic rejoinder.
Paul snapped at the laces of his boots angrily.
"What are you so mad about ?" he asked.

"Because you don't like her." "I don't say I don't like her.