Houston had knocked on the door.

A second later, he entered the cabin, to return Medaine Robinette's cool but polite greeting in kind, and to look apprehensively toward Ba'tiste Renaud.
But the old man's smile was genuine.
"We have been talk' about you, _oui_, yes!" he said.

"Eh, Medaine ?" It was one of his thrusts.

The girl colored, then turned toward the door.
"I'm afraid I've stayed longer than I intended," she apologized.

"It's late.