After a moment's pause he said:
'I can't kiss people.'
'I'm very glad you can't. I have no wish for you to kiss people.'
'I can't kiss. I don't know how anyone can. I can't do those things.'
She pretended not to hear, looked round the room, took up a book and said:
'Will you lend me this, Aylmer?'
'No, I'll give it you.'
'Good-bye.'
'Good-bye, darling,' said Aylmer, ringing the bell.
The butler called her a cab, and she drove to Mrs Mitchell's.