Vera instinctively wanted to refuse; this kind of refusal was purely... a refusal. She considered that it might catch the attention of some people, and gossip might spread within the community and society.
Sometimes, one has to admire how gossipy people can be. A seemingly ordinary matter can deviate from the truth through the spread of some "enthusiastic folks."
It's like that famous joke about a group of soldiers from different places conducting night maneuvers. The person at the front shouted, "No flashlights!"
Using flashlights at night could expose oneself, so no light sources are allowed during covert night maneuvers.
Eventually, they were exposed because the people at the end of the line used lights recklessly. When their instructor asked why those traveling with lights disregard orders, their answer was unexpected.
"No peeing!"
