RANSOM: "Yes. But she isn't pensive. She's awfully deep. It makes
me shudder to think how deep that girl is. And when I think of my
courage in daring to be in love with her--a stupid, straightforward
idiot like me--I begin to respect myself in spite of being such an
ass. Well, I'm off. If I stay any longer I shall never go." He
closes the door after him, and Miss Reed instantly springs to her
feet.

MISS REED: "Now he'll have to go down to the parlor and send up his
name, and that just gives me time to do the necessary prinking. You
stay here and receive him, Nettie."

MISS SPAULDING: "Never! After what's happened I can never look him
in the face again. Oh, how low, and mean, and guilty I feel!"

MISS REED, with surprise: "Why, how droll! Now _I_ don't feel the
least so."

MISS SPAULDING: "Oh, it's very different with YOU. YOU'RE in love
with him."

MISS REED: "For shame, Nettie! I'm NOT in love with him."

MISS SPAULDING: "And you can explain and justify it. But I never
can justify it to myself, much less to him. Let me go, Ethel! I
shall tell Mrs. McKnight that we must change this room instantly.
And just after I'd got it so nearly in order! Go down and receive
him in the parlor, Ethel. I CAN'T see him."