Quick tears have sprung to her eyes.

They seem to hurt the professor.
"One cannot be in mourning always," says he slowly.

His manner is still unfortunate.
"You evade the question," says she frowning.

"But a concert _isn't_ like a ball, is it ?" "I don't know," says the professor, who indeed has had little knowledge of either for years, and whose unlucky answer arises solely from inability to give her an honest reply.
"You hesitate," says she, "you disapprove then.

But," defiantly, "I don't care--a concert is _not_ like a ball." "No--I suppose not." "I can see what you are thinking," returns she, struggling with her mortification.