"Well, say something, then."
"There isn't—I don't—I haven't anything to say," Flip stumbled.
"Don't we inspire conversation?" Sally asked. "A lot you must think of us. Does she ever talk in the room?"
Erna was gobbling her suet pudding. "She sometimes answers if you ask her a question, if you insist. Yes, or no. That's all."
"What do you do when you go out on a date, Pill?" Sally asked. "Or don't you ever go on dates? Hi! kids, what kind of a line do you think Pill uses on a boy?"
Flip said nothing.
"Well, what kind of a line do you use, Pill?" Sally persisted. "Maybe you could teach us something. Well, for john's sake say something, can't you!"
"Oh, do leave her alone," Solvei said impatiently. "If she hasn't anything to say she hasn't anything to say."
"But how can someone not have something to say!" Gloria exclaimed incredulously. "There's always something to say. Any time I can't talk I'll be dead."
"Well, maybe Pill's dead," Sally suggested. "How about it, Pill. Are you dead?"