"Of course, there's your genius, Jinny. If I don't say much about it, you mustn't think I don't care."
"Do you? There are moments when I hate it."
Her face was set to the mood of hatred.
"Hugh dear, you're a brave man to marry it."
"I wouldn't marry it, if I didn't think I could look after it."
"You needn't bother. It can look after itself."
She paused, looking down where her finger traced and traced again the pattern of the sofa-cover.
"Did you think I cared for it so frightfully?" she said.
"I know you did."
"I care for it still." She turned to him with her set face. "But I could kill it if it came between you and me."