She filled the pot, and leaned back in her chair to allow it to draw a few moments.
The silence was intense during several seconds.

Only the purring of the cat was heard, as Veronica, letting her arm hang down without stooping, gently rubbed its broad head.

It pushed itself under her hand, bending its back to her caress, turned quickly, and pushed its head under her hand once more, doing the same thing again and again.
Matilde sat upright, lifted the cover of the teapot an instant, and then began to move the cups.

Veronica, whose thoughts were intent upon the animal she was touching, and which, as she knew, was begging for cream, immediately leaned forward, and took from under the silver cream jug a saucer which Elettra had especially brought for the purpose.

She poured a little cream into it, and, bending down, placed it on the lower shelf of the tea-table, and gently pushed the cat towards it.
Matilde saw her opportunity, while Veronica was stooping; and in that moment she distributed the three lumps from her handkerchief in the three cups before her, and at once began to pour tea into the one containing the largest lump.