"You are so different from what I had imagined."
"What was that?"
"You seemed an animated iceberg—forbidding and—yes, almost disagreeable. You make most people afraid of you."
"It matters very little to me what people think of me," he returned indifferently.
"Don't you ever care for friends?"
"I have no use for friends—besides, who are one's friends? I have ceased to believe in friendship," he sneered.
She studied his face gravely. "I don't like to hear you speak like that. We would be your friends if you would let us."
Dalton checked a laugh of genuine amusement, the first sound of mirth she had heard from his lips, and it was not pleasant hearing.
"You are very good," he said tolerantly, "but it wouldn't work. I wouldn't suggest the experiment, if I may advise you."
"I certainly shall not, if you are nasty," she pouted.