She wanted him to be heroic in his conversation; and he would not.
"I suppose so," he replied.

"I have observed that Woman's dearest delight is to wound Man's self-conceit, though Man's dearest delight is to gratify hers.

There is at least one creature lower than Man.

Now, off with you.

Shall I hold you until your ankles get firm ?" "Thank you," she said, disgusted: "_I_ can skate pretty well, and I don't think you could give me any useful assistance." And she went off cautiously, feeling that a mishap would be very disgraceful after such a speech.
He stood on the shore, listening to the grinding, swaying sound of the skates, and watching the growing complexity of the curves they were engraving on the ice.