“Nothing, but to come and see his cousin, and abuse everything to her, and try to make her as discontented as himself,” said Joe, mimicking his tone.
“If I thought you liked me to come and see you”–began Ronald.
“Well?”
“It would be different, you know.”
“I like you when you are nice and good-tempered,” said Joe. “But when you are bored you are simply–well, you are dreadful.” Joe raised her eyebrows and tapped with her fingers on the arm of the chair.
“Do you think I can ever be bored when I come to see you, Joe?” asked Ronald, changing his tone.
“You act as if you were, precisely. You know people who are bored are generally bores themselves.”
“Thanks,” said Ronald. “How kind you are!”
“Do say something nice, Ronald. You have done nothing but find fault since you came. Have you heard from home?”
“No. There has not been time yet. Why do you ask?”