And so I shall be again if you make such cutting remarks about my photographs!" "You have a crooked eye," he said grimly.

"Look there, for instance! You have poured your coffee outside the cup.

Of course you can do as you like, but the usual custom is to pour it inside the cup." They both laughed, and the good understanding between them was cemented again.
"You are certainly getting better," he said suddenly.

"I should not be surprised if you were able to write a book after all.

Not that a new book is wanted.