"There were two buttons the other day which made me tremble for their fate. Where are they now?"
"True. I never thought of sewing them on. It is so tiresome!"
"Poor boy! Give it me."
"I am ashamed."
"Go and make tea."
He brought the kettle and the spirit-lamp into the room, so as not to miss a moment of his friend's stay. As she sewed she watched his clumsy ways stealthily and maliciously. They drank their tea out of cracked cups, which she thought horrible, dodging the cracks, while he indignantly defended them, because they reminded him of his life with Olivier.
Just as she was going, he asked:
"You are not angry with me?"
"Why should I be?"
"Because of the litter here?"