He looked up with his old jerk of the head, courting the smile to her lips. She had no smile to give, and a shrug half tossed his shoulders.
"Are you comfortable here?" he asked, as she poured out the boiling water.
"Oh yes. Very."
"God!" he said casually within himself, feeling the weight of the strain. Then he struggled for it once more.
"I'm dining with Devenish this evening," he said lightly. "You remember Devenish, don't you?"
"Oh yes—I remember him. He came up to see me here a few weeks ago."
"Did he? He's a gay dog," he said lightly. "Do you like him?"
"I haven't thought about it."
"Oh, then you don't. And haven't you seen him since?"
"No; I've been away."