if she's going to be like this, just drop her. No point in putting up with it, the nerve of that attitude when you're just trying to help

For a moment, he almost obeyed that urge, his arms loosening slightly. Then a spasm of something crossed his face and his arms tightened again.

"I'll keep that in mind the next time you tell me I ought to be free or be happy," he said, hiding his momentary confusion and conflict in a dry tone. "That isn't what I'm saying at all and you know it. But as you like."

He went into a dive, something that would have been fun if she hadn't gotten all strange and angry at him for no good reason. On the ground, he pulled his arms away.