"Must I answer?"
"Please."
"Between three and four hours."
"I thought as much." She stared past him, troubled. Abruptly she said: "Please smoke."
"Shall I? If you wish it, of course...."
She repeated: "Please."
"We were to wait ten minutes or so," she continued.
He produced his cigarette-case.
"If you care to smoke it will seem an excuse." He lighted his cigarette.
"And then, you may talk to me," she concluded calmly.