I like my fellow-creatures...." Ralph sighed impatiently.
"Yes, I think so, when you come to know them," she added, as if his disagreement had been spoken.
"That's just when I don't like them," he replied.

"Still, I don't see why you shouldn't cherish that illusion, if it pleases you." He spoke without much vehemence of agreement or disagreement.

He seemed chilled.
"Wake up, Ralph! You're half asleep!" Mary cried, turning and pinching his sleeve.

"What have you been doing with yourself?
Moping?
Working?
Despising the world, as usual ?" As he merely shook his head, and filled his pipe, she went on: "It's a bit of a pose, isn't it ?" "Not more than most things," he said.
"Well," Mary remarked, "I've a great deal to say to you, but I must go on--we have a committee." She rose, but hesitated, looking down upon him rather gravely.

"You don't look happy, Ralph," she said.