She treated him indulgently, as if he were a child.

He thought he did not mind.

But deep below the surface it piqued him.
Sometimes Miriam said: "What about Clara?
I hear nothing of her lately." "I walked with her about twenty minutes yesterday," he replied.
"And what did she talk about ?" "I don't know.

I suppose I did all the jawing--I usually do.

I think I was telling her about the strike, and how the women took it." "Yes." So he gave the account of himself.
But insidiously, without his knowing it, the warmth he felt for Clara drew him away from Miriam, for whom he felt responsible, and to whom he felt he belonged.