But in a small company one has to endure such things with outward equanimity; and I am sure that nobody suspects my contempt for him and that my dislike has not caused one awkward moment." She wrote again: "I beg of you not to suggest to your sister that she call on me.

Try to be reasonable, dear.

Mrs.Collis does not desire to know me.

Why should she?
Why should you wish to have me meet her?
If you have any vague ideas that my meeting her might in any possible way alter a situation which must always exist between your family and myself, you are utterly mistaken, dearest.
"And my acquaintance with Miss Swift is so slight--I never saw her but once, and then only for a moment!--that it would be only painful and embarrassing to her if you asked her to call on me.

Besides, you are a man and you don't understand such things.