Sentence:  "What's the matter with you?" -- "Nothing. I'm sorry to be so damned emotional, but for six months I've been starved for beauty." -- "You used to be so matter of fact. It's very interesting to hear you say that." -- "Damn it all, I don't want to be interesting," laughed Philip. "Let's go and have a <WSD>stodgy tea</WSD>." 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Dull, old-fashioned.