She strictly discouraged these conventional, sentimental speeches which constantly flung her sex in her face.
"Now, you know I don't like you to talk that way, Mr.Ryder.

It's most undignified.

Please be sensible." Quite subdued, Jefferson relapsed into a sulky silence.

Presently he said: "I wish you wouldn't call me Mr.Ryder.I meant to ask you this before.

You know very well that you've no great love for the name, and if you persist you'll end by including me in your hatred of the hero of your book." Shirley looked at him with amused curiosity.
"What do you mean ?" she asked.