They didn't say much to one another while they ate. Lloyd resumed his reading of the great book and the boy looked-on at Lloyd's changing expression, his eyes almost bursting into a fall of tears, throughout it all.
Lloyd looked up from the book, at times, and caught the boy's eyes locked onto him as he read. "My Lord Brook promised to teach me to read that," Boyce stated, "but he has not found the time!" He looked hollow for a moment and a feeling of loneliness seemed to hover over him until Lloyd, with a compassionate voice, grabbed the boy's craving for some adult rapport.
"Brook had asked me to teach you. Would you like that?"
"Yes." Boyce's answer was short and direct, and full of obvious excitement. He continued to eat.
"I spoke to Lady Dearborne yesterday."
"She's a very nice lady!" added Boyce. He looked up at Lloyd and smiled, and Lloyd just laughed.
"That she is, Boyce, and you are very fortunate that she and Brook are your parents."
Boyce was astonished. He stopped eating, looked at the meat that he was holding then slowly dropped it back onto the tray. He stood up and aimlessly started to walk a few steps away from Lloyd.
Through the hush of the room could be heard the sounds of life echoing-in from off the streets. There were short playful screams of the little girls being teased by the boys. Boyce faced Lloyd. After eyeing him for a time, he finally spoke.
"She told you? — Why?" he said, as if in order.