And the worst of it was its truth.
"Miss Colton," I faltered, "I can't understand what you mean.

I--" "You do understand.

And please," with a scornful laugh, "oh, PLEASE understand that I am not troubled because of THAT.

Your charming and cultivated society is not indispensable to my happiness, Mr.Paine, strange as that may appear to you.

Really," with cutting contempt, "it is not." "That I quite understand, Miss Colton," I said, "but--" "But you are like every one else in this horrid, narrow, bigoted place.
Don't you suppose that I see it everywhere I go! Every one here hates us--every one.