"You don't ask me why," she proceeded, after a pause, "you little silent, over-modest thing; and you don't deserve that I should pour out my secrets into your lap without an invitation. Upon my word, I could have found it in my heart to have dogged Moore yesterday evening with dire intent. I have pistols, and can use them."
"Stuff, Shirley! Which would you have shot--me or Robert?"
"Neither, perhaps. Perhaps myself--more likely a bat or a tree-bough. He is a puppy, your cousin--a quiet, serious, sensible, judicious, ambitious puppy. I see him standing before me, talking his half-stern, half-gentle talk, bearing me down (as I am very conscious he does) with his fixity of purpose, etc.; and then--I have no patience with him!"
Miss Keeldar started off on a rapid walk through the room, repeating energetically that she had no patience with men in general, and with her tenant in particular.

"You don't ask me why," she went on, after a pause, "you little silent, over-modest thing; and you don't deserve that I should pour out my secrets into your lap. Upon my word, I could have duelled with Moore yesterday. I have pistols, and can use them."
"Stuff, Shirley! Which would you have shot - me or Robert?"
"Neither, perhaps. More likely a bat or a tree. He is a puppy, your cousin - a quiet, serious, ambitious puppy. I see him standing before me, talking his half-stern, half-gentle talk, bearing me down with his set purpose; and then - I have no patience with him!"
Miss Keeldar started off on a rapid walk through the room.
