He laughed:
“You are almost even more dependent on her than you used to be on me! But you can give me just a second, in the next room.”
“No.”
“Yes, you can.”
“What do you want to speak to me about?”
“I can’t tell you here.”
“I can’t speak to you alone.”
“I’ll tell you what it is: you’re afraid to.”
“No.”
“Yes, you are: you’re afraid of me. With all your airs and your dignity, you’re afraid to be alone with me for a moment.”