"I don't know. I really hope not—at present at all events. You see what's happening now—Bernadette's just going out of her life. Seeing her might stop that. And yet, if we look at it honestly, isn't it the best thing that can happen?"
"In fact you want Bernadette completely—obliterated?" He frowned a little. To make that their object seemed rather ruthless. "A bit strong, isn't it?" he asked.
"Can she complain? Isn't it really the logic of the situation? With Bernadette what she is too—and the child what she is!"
"You're always terribly good at facing facts, Judith." He smiled. "A little weak in the idealising faculty!"
"In this family you've supplied that deficiency—amply."
"You musn't sneer at generous emotions. It's a bad habit you've got."
She smiled, yet seemed to consider what he said. "I believe it is a bad habit that I used to have. The old state of affairs here rather encouraged it. So many emotions all at cross-purposes! Rather a ridiculous waste of them! It made them seem ridiculous themselves. But I think I've got out of the habit."
"You've still a strong bias towards the mere matter-of-fact. You like humdrum states of mind—I believe you positively prefer them."
"And you like to pass from thrill to thrill!" She laughed. "Is that very unfair? Because I don't mean it to be. And I am changed a little, I think. What has happened here has made a difference. Say you think me a little—just a little—softer?"
"Say you think me a little—just a little—harder?" he retorted, mocking her.