"You can't prevent me doing anything," he returned, his hand pressing her shoulder. "No one can."
She leaned her head momentarily against his arm. "You—you wouldn't want to do anything that anyone didn't like," she murmured shyly.
"Shouldn't I?" he said and for a moment his mouth was grim. "I am not accustomed to being regarded as an amiable nonentity, I assure you. It's settled then, is it? The first week in April? And you are to come to us for at least a fortnight beforehand."
Dinah nodded, her head bent. "All right,—if Mother doesn't mind."
"What would happen if she did?" he asked curiously.
"It just wouldn't be done," she made answer.
"Wouldn't it? Not if you insisted?"
"I couldn't insist," she said, her voice very low.
"Why couldn't you? I should have thought you had a will of your own.
Don't you ever assert yourself?"
"Against her? No, never!" Dinah gave a little shudder. "Don't let's talk of it!" she said. "Isn't it time to go back? I believe I ought to be clearing away."