Very slowly she lowered her hand, and for a short second he saw the little red lips screwed up in obedience to his command. Absurd as it may seem, the foolish conquest gave him a perplexing thrill.
“Again,” he said. “It was too short.”
“No,” said Esme, shaking her head. “I shan’t do it again. You’re laughing at me.”
She rose and moved a little toward him and the door.
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Don’t want to be laughed at—not by you.”
“I doubt if you know what you do want.”
“ ’Tany rate I shan’t tell you.”
“Wonderful independence!”
“I’ll go back now, please.”