"I'm going to ask you if you know why Father Stafford—"
"Oh, please excuse me, Mr. Lane. I can't speculate on your friend's motives. I don't profess to understand him."
This might be indifference; it sounded to Eugene very like pique.
"I thought you might know."
"Mr. Lane," said Claudia, "either you mean something or you don't. If the one, you're taking a liberty, and one entirely without excuse; if the other, you are simply tedious."
"I beg your pardon," said Eugene stiffly.
Claudia gave a little laugh.
"Why do you make me be so aggressive? I don't want to be. Was I awfully severe?"
"Yes, rather."
"I meant it, you know. But did you come quite resolved to quarrel? I want to be pleasant." And Claudia raised her eyes with a reproachful glance.