[Ethlyn looks so taken aback as to be scandalized, and then she realizes that he's having a go at her, and the look becomes one of aggravation.]

The worst anyone can say of me is that I mind others' business a little too closely. [hey, she knows her own reputation too, thanks.] But they can't say that I don't mean well.

[It's not Claude's fault, what happened to him, but the fact that he's chosen to make his damaged reputation wrecked beyond any hope of salvage is incomprehensible to her.

His decision to go inside the halved house is less confusing, because--she's been having the same thought.]

Not alone you aren't. It might be terribly dangerous in there.