Perhaps she was bored by drinking tea and reading a book all alone; at any rate, she tossed the book on to a sofa with a gesture of relief.
"Is that one of the moderns whom you despise ?" he asked, smiling at the carelessness of her gesture.
"Yes," she replied.

"I think even you would despise him." "Even I ?" he repeated.

"Why even I ?" "You said you liked modern things; I said I hated them." This was not a very accurate report of their conversation among the relics, perhaps, but Ralph was flattered to think that she remembered anything about it.
"Or did I confess that I hated all books ?" she went on, seeing him look up with an air of inquiry.

"I forget--" "Do you hate all books ?" he asked.
"It would be absurd to say that I hate all books when I've only read ten, perhaps; but--' Here she pulled herself up short.
"Well ?" "Yes, I do hate books," she continued.

"Why do you want to be for ever talking about your feelings?
That's what I can't make out.