need kissing badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. All your…
““need kissing badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. All your beaux have respected you too much, though God knows why, or they have been too afraid of you to really do right by you. The result is that you are unendurably uppity. You should be kissed and by someone who knows how.” The conversation was not going the way she wanted it. It never did when she was with him. Always, it was a duel in which she was worsted. “And I suppose you think you are the proper person?” she asked with sarcasm, holding her temper in check with difficulty. “Oh, yes, if I cared to take the trouble,” he said carelessly. “They say I kiss very well.” “Oh,” she began, indignant at the slight to her charms. “Why, you…” But her eyes fell in sudden confusion. He was smiling, but in the dark depths of his eyes a tiny light flickered for a brief moment, like a small raw flame. “Of course, you’ve probably wondered why I never tried to follow up that chaste peck I gave you,””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The dialogue reveals a clash of desire and restraint, highlighting how fear of intimacy can lead to arrogance and missed connections.
In simple terms: Desire and fear create tension and missed chances.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address fear of intimacy.
Themes
romantic tension
social dynamics
personal growth
communication
self-awareness
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
conversational
When to use this quote
- dating advice
- relationship counseling
- literary analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology of attraction
social etiquette
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears prevent honest intimacy?
- How can vulnerability replace arrogance?
A Different Perspective
The sarcastic tone may obscure genuine emotional insight.