Neither wife nor husband spoke.

He sat in his armchair, quite awkward with excitement, and she quietly went on with her baking.

Only by the careful way in which she did things could it be told how much moved she was.

The clock ticked on.
"What time dost say he's coming ?" Morel asked for the fifth time.
"The train gets in at half-past six," she replied emphatically.
"Then he'll be here at ten past seven." "Eh, bless you, it'll be hours late on the Midland," she said indifferently.

But she hoped, by expecting him late, to bring him early.
Morel went down the entry to look for him.