"So that is your reason for remaining," said Miss Spring, reflectively.
"What other reason on earth could there be?"
"The equable climate."
"I hate equable climates. No, we're not here for climates. Nor for Benozzo; nor for Nicolo the Pisan, and that everlasting old sarcophagus that they are always talking about; nor for the Leaning Tower, either. I perfectly hate the Leaning Tower!"
Miss Spring now undertook a joke herself. "It is for the moderns, then. You are evidently a Shelley worshipper."
"Do I look like one?" demanded Violet Roscoe, extending her arms a little, with the palms of the hands displayed, as if to call attention to her entire person.
"I cannot say that you do," replied Miss Spring, after surveying her. "I should think New York would please you as a place of residence," she went on, after a moment. "If you do not like Italy, why do you not go home?"
"Why don't you?" retorted Violet, taking a marron and crunching it.
"Well answered. But Newburyport is not to me what I should think New York might be to you; Newburyport has much to learn. However, we all have our reasons, I suppose."
"Mine are not mysterious," said Violet, continuing to crunch. "I have a better time abroad than I do at home; that's all."