At odd times he clenched his fists without apparent cause, and when discovered in solitude would be scowling at the wall, with the sheet of paper and the pencil given him for drawing circles lying blank and idle on the kitchen table.

This was a change, but it was no improvement.

Mrs Verloc including all these vagaries under the general definition of excitement, began to fear that Stevie was hearing more than was good for him of her husband's conversations with his friends.

During his "walks" Mr Verloc, of course, met and conversed with various persons.

It could hardly be otherwise.