"Well, Louis, it is perfectly absurd of you to show so plainly that you consider our discovery of it a desecration."
He turned red with surprise and irritation:
"I don't know what you mean."
"I mean exactly what I say. You showed by your expression and your manner that our inspection of the picture and our questions and comments concerning it were unwelcome."
"I'm sorry I showed it…. But they were unwelcome."
"Will you tell me why?"
"I don't think I know exactly why—unless the portrait was a personal and private affair concerning only myself—"
"Louis! Has it gone as far as that?"
"As far as what? What on earth are you trying to say, Lily?"
"I'm trying to say—as nicely and as gently as I can—that your behaviour—in regard to this girl is making us all perfectly wretched."