"Civilisation is most important, don't you think?"

Anne held up her hand. "I won't advise," she said. "You must
make the decision."

"Gombauld's family," Mary went on reflectively, "comes from
Marseilles. Rather a dangerous heredity, when one thinks of the
Latin attitude towards women. But then, I sometimes wonder
whether Denis is altogether serious-minded, whether he isn't
rather a dilettante. It's very difficult. What do you think?"

"I'm not listening," said Anne. "I refuse to take any
responsibility."

Mary sighed. "Well," she said, "I think I had better go to bed
and think about it."

"Carefully and dispassionately," said Anne.

At the door Mary turned round. "Good-night," she said, and
wondered as she said the words why Anne was smiling in that
curious way. It was probably nothing, she reflected. Anne often
smiled for no apparent reason; it was probably just a habit. "I
hope I shan't dream of falling down wells again to-night," she
added.

"Ladders are worse," said Anne.

Mary nodded. "Yes, ladders are much graver."