Numerals are generally avoided in dialogue. That is: “I bought sixteen apples, eight bottles of sparkling water, and thirty-two cans of soup,” said James, improbably. rather than “I bought 16 apples, 8 bottles of sparkling water, and 32 cans of soup,” said James, improbably. Which rather looks as if the next sentence is going to begin, “If James gives Louella half his apples,” and we wouldn’t want that.
