Burton, hating himself and the whole situation, stepped into the parlor.

Ellen followed him as far as the threshold.
"What is it you want ?" she demanded, still retaining one foot in the passage.

"I'm busy.

You haven't forgotten that it's Friday morning, have you ?" "I want to talk to you for a little while," he said, gently.

"I have something to propose which may improve our relations." Ellen's attitude became one of fierce contempt mingled with a slight tremulousness.
"Such ridiculous goings-on and ways of speaking!" she muttered.