`` No , I do n't think it is that . Ludovic is n't shy . It 's just his way -- the Speed way . The Speeds are all dreadfully deliberate . They spend years thinking over a thing before they make up their minds to do it . Sometimes they get so much in the habit of thinking about it that they never get over it -- like old Alder Speed , who was always talking of going to England to see his brother , but never went , though there was no earthly reason why he should n't . They 're not lazy , you know , but they love to take their time . '' `` And Ludovic is just an aggravated case of Speedism , '' suggested Anne . `` Exactly . He never hurried in his life . Why , he has been thinking for the last six years of getting his house painted . He talks it over with me every little while , and picks out the colour , and there the matter stays . He 's fond of me , and he means to ask me to have him sometime . The only question is -- will the time ever come ? '' `` Why do n't you hurry him up ? '' asked Anne impatiently . Theodora went back to her stitches with another laugh . `` If Ludovic could be hurried up , I 'm not the one to do it . I 'm too shy . It sounds ridiculous to hear a woman of my age and inches say that , but it is true .
Of course , I know it 's the only way any XXXXX ever did make out to get married .
Speed laugh minds question reason stitches thing time while woman