"Oh no! I never torment anybody.

But one must enjoy oneself you know; what else can one do?
Then afterwards, when we were older--somehow I don't know--but we didn't get on.

It is very sad--I wish he thought better of me." The last words were said with a certain change of tone, and sitting up he laid the tips of his fingers together on his knees with a little plaintive air.

Marcella's eyes danced with amusement, but she looked away from him to the fire, and would not answer.
"You don't help me out.

You don't console me.