“If I did not, I should never have taken to mending, I should have been content with binding them. New covers make more show, and are much easier put on than patches.”
Another pause followed.
“What a lot you know!” said Barbara.
“Very little,” answered Richard.
“Then where am I!” she returned.
“Perhaps ladies don't need books! I don't know about ladies.”
“I think they don't care about them. I never hear them talk as you do—as if books were their friends. But why should they? Books are only books!”
“You would not say that if once you knew them!”
“I wish you would make me know them, then!”
“There are books, and you can read, miss!”