“I think the tea-party is ended,” he said, getting up and pushing his chair back to the table. “It was very enjoyable whilst it lasted, but there is such a thing as folk outstaying their welcome.”
But still she sat still, and made no effort to rise.
“What has made you angry?” she asked.
“I don’t know, I’m sure. You say I’m angry, so I must be. You should be able to discover the cause when you’ve noticed the effect.”
“I can’t. But when I stumble or stammer I notice it always puts you out.”
“Then don’t do it.”
“I’ll try not. But if I sometimes said the things I thought, they’d sound so foolish that you’d laugh at them.”
“They could not possibly be more foolish than the things you say.”
“Are all the women of your acquaintance very sensible and clever?”
“More or less so. Of course, they have the advantage of education and upbringing; but still that does not do away with the fact that they possess many natural gifts.”