Watchful waiting was his course.
If he went out with Deborah, Edith would be distinctly hurt, and sitting all evening here alone she would draw still deeper into herself.

And so it would be night after night, as it had been for many weeks.

He would be cooped up at home while Deborah did the running about....

In half the time it takes to tell it, Roger had worked himself into a state where he felt like a mighty badly used man.
"I wish you _would_ speak to her," he said.

"I wish you could manage to find time to be here more in the evenings.