He could hear the little sing-song of the milk spurting into the pails.

Presently she came, bringing some big greenish apples.
"You know you like them," she said.
He took a bite.
"Sit down," he said, with his mouth full.
She was short-sighted, and peered over his shoulder.

It irritated him.
He gave her the book quickly.
"Here," he said.

"It's only letters for figures.

You put down 'a' instead of '2' or '6'." They worked, he talking, she with her head down on the book.