He opened it eagerly.

To his disappointment neither Jean nor the girl stood there, but the Indian woman who had brought him the hot water, carrying in her hands a metal server covered with steaming dishes.

She moved silently past him, placed the server on the table, and was turning to go when he spoke to her.
"Tan'se a itumuche hooyun ?" he asked in Cree.
She went out as if she had not heard him, and the door closed behind her.

With growing perplexity, Philip directed his attention to the food.

This manner of serving his supper partly convinced him that he would not see Josephine again that night.