I'm sorry to thwart your pious intentions, but in your father's absence--" "Oh, don't begin that!" she broke in irritably.
"Well, don't you be silly!" said Max good-humouredly.

"You know you don't really want to go.

It's only because you are cross with me." "It isn't!" she said.
"All right.

It isn't.

Now go and lie down like a good child! I shall come and prescribe for you if you don't." Was it mockery that glinted in his eyes as he thus smilingly quelled her resistance?
She asked herself the question as she slowly mounted the stairs.