He prepared to do so but she wouldn't permit him:
"No! I don't want to remember you doing such a thing.... All the same I believe you could do it and not lose—lose——"
"Dignity?"
"No—I don't know what I mean. Come, Mr. Quarren; I am waiting for you to do something silly."
"Shall I say it or do it?"
"Either."
"Then I'll recite something very, very precious—subtly, intricately, and psychologically precious."
"Oh, please do!"
"It's—it's about a lover."
She blushed.