“Did they announce the reorganization ... the way he’s going to....” asked Mrs. Knapp. As if she did not know the answer already!
They both already knew everything that was to be asked and answered, but there seemed no escape from going on.
“Yes, they did,” said Mr. Knapp, trying to chew on a mouthful of steak.
“Who did they put in charge of your office?” asked Mrs. Knapp, adding in an aside, “Helen, don’t hold your fork like that.”
“Harvey Bronson,” said Mr. Knapp, trying to make it sound like any other name.
“Oh,” said Mrs. Knapp.
She made no comment on the news. She made it a point never to criticize their father before the children.
Helen’s eyes went over timidly towards her father, sideways under lowered lids. She wished she dared give him a loving look of reassurance to show him how dearly she loved him and sympathized with him because he had not had the advancement they had all hoped for so long, because a younger man and one who was especially mean to Father had been put over his head. Her heart swelled and ached. She would get Father off in a corner after dinner and give him a big silent hug. He would understand.
But as it happened, she did not. Other things happened.