'A practical literary man doesn't do such
things.'
'Milvain, for instance. No.'
With curious frequency she mentioned the name of Milvain. Her
unconsciousness in doing so prevented Reardon from thinking about
the fact; still, he had noted it.
'Did you understand the phrase slightingly?' he asked.
'Slightingly? Yes, a little, of course. It always has that sense
on your lips, I think.'
In the light of this answer he mused upon her readily-offered
instance. True, he had occasionally spoken of Jasper with
something less than respect, but Amy was not in the habit of
doing so.
'I hadn't any such meaning just then,' he said. 'I meant quite
simply that my bookish habits didn't promise much for my success
as a novelist.'
'I see. But you didn't think of it in that way at the time.'
He sighed.
'No. At least--no.'
'At least what?'
'Well, no; on the whole I had good hope.'
Amy twisted her fingers together impatiently.
'Edwin, let me tell you something. You are getting too fond of
speaking in a discouraging way. Now, why should you do so? I
don't like it.
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