Dr. Raste walked off down New River Street, but after a few steps turned again.
"Haven't they got any friends you could speak to?" he asked in a tone still hard, but with a touch of comprehending friendliness in it. This touch brought tears to Elsie's silly eyes.
"No, sir."
"No friends?"
"No, sir."
"Nobody ever calls?"
"No, sir."
"And they never go out?"
"No, sir."
"Not even to the cinema, and so on?"