Anyhow," he continued, more amiably, "I see no reason why you should be bothered with other people's nuisances." She supposed that she had let him see too clearly her weariness of this side of life.
"I'm afraid I've been absent-minded," she began, remembering how often William had brought this charge against her.
"You have a good deal to make you absent-minded," he replied.
"Yes," she replied, flushing.

"No," she contradicted herself.

"Nothing particular, I mean.

But I was thinking about plants.

I was enjoying myself.