They were getting upon each other's nerves.

Why couldn't she make overtures, small kindly proffers of help and advice and sympathy, the womanly things?
From his room he heard her knock softly at the same door he had closed.

And he heard her low clear voice: "Are you there, Edith dear ?" He listened a moment intently, but he could not hear the reply.

Then Deborah said, "Oh, you poor thing.

I'm awfully sorry.