'I wonder what was going on in his head?' I asked.

'Oh, he builds himself little dreams,' Nadine replied scornfully. 'Only when he wants to bring me into them - excuse me, please!'

'I must say you don't encourage him much.'

'No. In fact, it's even funny, because when I feel he wants me to say one thing, I immediately say the opposite. Can you understand that?'

'A little.'

I could understand that very well; with Nadine, especially, I knew that sort of resistance.

'He always wants to get someone's permission. Why can't he just take it?'