“That’s my business.”
She saw him wince at the abrupt discourtesy of this. She apologized:
“I don’t mean to be rude, but––well, it wouldn’t interest you.”
“Oh yes, it would. Don’t tell me if you don’t want to, but––”
“But––”
“Oh, nothing!”
“You mean you’ll think that if I don’t tell you it’s because I’m ashamed to.”
“Oh no, not at all.”
“Oh yes, at all. Well, what if I were?”
“I can’t imagine your having done anything to be ashamed of.”