"Yeah, they do. But I don't have any memories of any of the Bronte sisters, so forgive me if I'm not going to just toss the book aside on your say-so."

And I do have some pretty unpleasant memories of you, so forgive me for not wanting to have a friendly chat here, he doesn't add.

"I suppose you probably didn't get along with Emily Dickinson, either, if you have such a thing against prudes."