The conversation lapsed, and Mary saw Katharine looking out into the room rather moodily with closed lips, the desire to talk about herself or to initiate a friendship having, apparently, left her.

Mary was struck by her capacity for being thus easily silent, and occupied with her own thoughts.

It was a habit that spoke of loneliness and a mind thinking for itself.

When Katharine remained silent Mary was slightly embarrassed.
"Yes, they're very like sheep," she repeated, foolishly.
"And yet they are very clever--at least," Katharine added, "I suppose they have all read Webster." "Surely you don't think that a proof of cleverness?
I've read Webster, I've read Ben Jonson, but I don't think myself clever--not exactly, at least." "I think you must be very clever," Katharine observed.
"Why?
Because I run an office ?" "I wasn't thinking of that.

I was thinking how you live alone in this room, and have parties." Mary reflected for a second.
"It means, chiefly, a power of being disagreeable to one's own family, I think.