She might be going to say anything.

She overpowered me so that I actually dwindled--into the gawkiness of extreme youth.

I became a goggle-eyed, splay-footed boy again and made a boy's desperate effort after a recovery at one stroke of an ideal standard of dignity.
"I must have a word with you," I said, remembering.

She made a little gesture with her hands, signifying "I am here." "But in private," I added.
"Oh, everything's in private here," she said.

I was silent.
"I must," I added after a time.
"I can't retire with you," she said; "'it would look odd,' you'd say, wouldn't you ?" I shrugged my shoulders in intense irritation.