'And then I didn't know what the shops and the people were like.' 'Do you need a life of excitement ?' he asked, with a sidelong glance.
'Excitement?
No, but one must have change.' When they reached Herne Hill, Widdowson became silent, and presently he allowed the horse to walk.
'That is my house, Miss Madden--the right-hand one.
Monica looked, and saw two little villas, built together with stone facings, porches at the doors and ornamented gables.
'I only wanted to show it you,' he added quickly.

'There's nothing pretty or noticeable about it, and it isn't at all grandly furnished.
My old housekeeper and one servant manage to keep it in order.' They passed, and Monica did not allow herself to look back.
'I think it's a nice house,' she said presently.
'All my life I have wished to have a house of my own, but I didn't dare to hope I ever should.

Men in general don't seem to care so long as they have lodgings that suit them--I mean unmarried men.

But I always wanted to live alone--without strangers, that is to say.

I told you that I am not very sociable.