Read the excerpt from “Raymond's Run.”“You signing up for the May Day races?” smiles Mary Louise, only it’s not a smile at all. A dumb question like that doesn’t deserve an answer. Besides, there’s just me and Gretchen standing there really, so no use wasting my breath talking to shadows.

Raymond dismisses Mary Louise’s question as “dumb” and says she is like a “shadow,” suggesting she does not respect Mary Louise or take her seriously. This best matches the idea that she has little respect for people she considers shallow. The excerpt does not show that she is upset with Gretchen or that she thinks talking to everyone is pointless.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.