Her contrariness prevents her taking it seriously--she must never be too serious, she feels she might give herself away.

And she won't give herself away--she's always on the defensive.

That's what I can't stand about her type.

By the way, how did things go off with Pussum after I left you?
I haven't heard anything.' 'Oh, rather disgusting.

Halliday turned objectionable, and I only just saved myself from jumping in his stomach, in a real old-fashioned row.' Birkin was silent.
'Of course,' he said, 'Julius is somewhat insane.