But as Ethel's dislike of the woman deepened in intensity, gradually Fanny's visits, too, grew less frequent and then ceased.
During the first week or two, Joe's partner almost every night came home with him to dinner and took him out for evening walks.

But his talk was all of business.

It seemed to Ethel that purposely Nourse shut her out of the conversation.

His manner to her, though not unkind, was like that of the cook and the nurse.

"The less you meddle here," it said, "the better it will be for Joe.