[robert] never assumed this series-comic tone when alone with mrs. pontellier. she never knew precisely what to make of it; at that moment it was impossible for her to guess how much of it was jest and what proportion was earnest. it was understood that he had often spoken words of love to madame ratignolle, without any thought of being take seriously. during his oblivious attention [robert] once quietly rested his head against mrs. pontellier’s arm. as gently she repulsed him. once again he repeated the offense. she could not but believe it to be thoughtlessness on his part; yet that was no reason she should submit to it. he offered no apology. which best explains why the author included both of these scenes in the story? to develop background information about the ways in which men and women were expected to interact during the time period to develop a contrast between the way in which mrs. pontellier interacts with madame ratignolle and the way she acts with robert to develop background information about the longstanding friendship between robert, mrs. ratignolle, and mrs. pontellier to develop a contrast between the way in which robert interacts with madame ratignolle and the way he interacts with mrs. pontellier