"It seems to me—just right."
"You don't feel he is writing for the sake of effect?"
"No. Oh no."
"I am afraid I do a little. But then the picture is so very highly coloured, and personally I don't care much for garish colouring."
Annette did not answer.
"I should like to know what you think about it, Annette."
Whenever Aunt Maria used that phrase, she wanted confirmation of her own opinion. Annette considered a moment.
"I think he has really seen it exactly as he says. I think perhaps he was selfish once, and—and had a shock."
"He is quite right to write from his experience," continued Aunt Maria. "I have drawn largely from mine in my books, and I am thankful I have had such a deep and rich experience to draw from. Experience, of course, must vary with each one of us. But I can't say I have ever felt what he describes. Have you?"