She laughed softly and asked why not.

"Because I find life so full of perplexities and memories that I have
no wish to make acquaintance with any more, such as I am sure lie hid
by the thousand in that box."

"If so, don't you think that they might clear up some of those which
surround you to-day?"

"No, for in such things there is no finality, since whatever one saw
would also require explanation."

"Don't let us argue," she replied. "It is tiring and I daresay we
shall need all our strength to-night."

I looked at her speechless. Why could she not take No for an answer?
As usual she read my thought and replied to it.

"Why did not Adam refuse the apple that Eve offered him?" she inquired
musingly. "Or rather why did he eat it after many refusals and learn
the secret of good and evil, to the great gain of the world which
thenceforward became acquainted with the dignity of labour?"

"Because the woman tempted him," I snapped.

"Quite so. It has always been her business in life and always will be.
Well, I am tempting you now, and not in vain."

"Do you remember who was tempting the woman?"