Their few words were polite, and their demeanor was civil.

At the breakfast-table, Sepia would silently pass things to Mr.Redmain; Mr.Redmain would thank her, but never trouble himself to do as much for her.

His attentions, indeed, were seldom wasted at home; but he was not often rude to anybody save his wife and his man, except when he was ill.
It was a long time before he began to feel any interest in Mary.

He knew nothing of her save as a nice-looking maid his wife had got--rather a prim-looking puss, he would have said, had he had occasion to describe her.

What Mary knew of him was merely the reflection of him in the mind of his wife; but, the first time she saw him, she felt she would rather not have to speak to him..