He was ready for her.
"This is a terrible disaster for the country, this coal strike," he said.
"Isn't it?" said Anne; and feeling that that was inadequate, added,
"Terrible!"
"I don't know what's happening to the country."
Anne crumbled her bread, and having reviewed a succession of possible replies, each more fatuous than the last, decided to remain silent.
"Everything will be at a standstill directly," her companion went on.
"Already trade is leaving the country. America—"
"I suppose so," said Anne gloomily.
"Once stop the supplies of coal, you see, and you drain the life-blood of the country."
"Of course," said Anne, and looked very serious.
After lunch an extremely brisk little man took her in hand.