"Absurd!" said Rufus, getting up to do as he was bid.
"What?" said his brother.
"Why I really want to talk to you."
"I am really very willing to listen."
"But I do not want to talk to anybody beside you."
"Winnie hears everything that is said here, Will," said the younger brother gravely, at the same time restraining with his arm the motion he felt Winnie made to go.
"It don't signify!" said Rufus, getting up and beginning to walk up and down the room gloomily.
"What doesn't signify?"
"Anything! —"
The steps were quicker and heavier, with concealed feeling. Winthrop looked at him and was silent; while Rufus seemed to be combating some unseen grievance, by the set of his lip and nostril.