Touch-me-not-ish

I believe you mean to be nasty, Paula. You have grown more freezy and ‘touch-me-not-ish’ than ever. I don't think marriage has improved you.

Misinterpreting her silence Howland peered at her, and said bracingly, "I know you don't believe it, but there's plenty of fine gentlemen who judge you quite beautiful, and would be dashed eager to take you to wife if you'd not be so everlastingly touch-me-not-ish."