He himself was preparing to forget his brother-in-law's existence as much as possible.
That was the general sense of his remarks, not his exact words.

I thought that his wife's brother's existence had never been very embarrassing to him but that now of course he would have to abstain from his allusions to the "son of the poet--you know." I said "yes, yes" in the pauses because I did not want him to turn round; and all the time I was watching the girl intently.

I thought I knew now what she meant with her--"He was most generous." Yes.

Generosity of character may carry a man through any situation.

But why didn't she go then to her generous man?
Why stand there as if clinging to this solid earth which she surely hated as one must hate the place where one has been tormented, hopeless, unhappy?
Suddenly she stirred.