Of course not. [ she cuts him loose from that implication. ] I'll cop to likely coming across as rather -- outdated, I imagine. In the eyes of most.

[ she reaches for another biscuit, twirling it idly between her fingertips before it too gets a dunk. just long enough for the water and heat to make the sweet soggy before she (none too gingerly) takes her bite. chews. swallows. ]

And although it stung considerably during my first few weeks in Wonderland, I've tried to make my peace with it.