"Can it be avoided?"
"You can drop the woman."
"She's none too many friends."
"She's one too many."
"I cannot agree."
"Then you put yourself on her level."
"I should be proud to rank with her."
Sylvia paused a moment to steady her voice.
"I've got a temper," she remarked with exaggerated indifference, "it's never wise for anybody to rouse it, and many people would be annoyed if you talked to them as you're talking to me. I—simply don't think it's worth it, but can you wonder if I ask you to choose between her and me?"
The Seraph's face and voice were grave.