"I make it a rule always to believe compliments implicitly for five minutes, and to simmer gently for twenty more"

In this quote, Alice James is expressing her technique to getting compliments. She specifies that she has a guideline to always believe compliments without hesitation for 5 minutes. This recommends that she is open to receiving praise and takes it at face value without questioning its genuineness. However, she then includes that she simmers gently for twenty more minutes. This could indicate that she spends some time to process the compliment and reflect on it before totally accepting it. It likewise suggests that she might have some doubts or reservations about the compliment, but she selects to give it some time before making a last judgment. In general, this quote showcases Alice James' thoughtful and reflective nature when it pertains to receiving compliments.